Israel cannot hide the occupation by silencing (or killing) Palestinian journalists


The global solidarity campaign following the blinding of a Palestinian photographer by Israeli security forces is a reminder that try it might, Israel won’t be able to stop Palestinian journalists from telling the story of the occupation.

Palestinian journalists in solidarity with Moath Amarnih who lost one eye while covering clashes in the West Bank

Omri Najad of Haokets reports in +972:

Last Friday [15 November], Palestinian photographer Moath Amarnih headed out to document a protest by the residents of Surif in the occupied West Bank. It was the second time in two weeks that they tried to demonstrate against the theft of their land by settlers. Shortly after the nonviolent protest began, a few young men began throwing stones at Border Police officers in the area.

The officers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, and Amarnih — who was photographing the clashes from a nearby hill — was struck by a bullet in his eye. A 0.22-inch Ruger bullet was likely aimed at one of the protesters or was fired at the ground before ricocheting into Amarnih’s head. He was, at the time, wearing a press flak jacket.

Ever since, dozens of Palestinian and Israeli journalists have joined a campaign in solidarity with Amarnih, photographing themselves with one eye covered.

More ….

 

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