Palestinian journalist in Gaza: You can take away my award but you won’t take away my voice
Maha Hussaini interviews a Palestinian boy in Gaza in June 2023
Maha Huseini writes in Middle East Eye on 20 June 2023:
Over the past decade as a journalist and war reporter, I have come to understand why many do not continue in this profession, especially in Palestine.
In addition to immense challenges and ongoing physical targeting, there are extensive, systematic and well-organised efforts by pro-Israel organisations to intimidate and silence Palestinian journalists. These tactics aim to push journalists to abandon their work, which is crucial for exposing flagrant human rights violations and advancing the pursuit of accountability.
Throughout my career in journalism, I have been awarded two prizes, both of which were followed by extensive smear campaigns and calls from Israeli groups and individuals urging the awarding organisations to rescind them.
This June, I received a Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) for my reporting on the ground from Gaza, which has been under a devastating Israeli siege and relentless bombardment for more than eight months.
During this period, I was forcibly displaced three times, moving from one shelter to another. My home was bombed, and I endured months of starvation, blackouts and ongoing bombardment. At times, I had to resort to using a pen and paper to send my reports via text messages after Israel cut fuel and electricity supplies and bombed the infrastructure of Gaza’s main telecommunications companies.
Despite these hardships, I consider myself fortunate not to have (so far) joined the tally of around 150 Palestinian journalists killed by the Israeli military since 7 October 2023.
Just a few days after the IWMF announced my award, an Israeli smear campaign was launched on social media, demanding that it be rescinded. Within 24 hours, the IWMF complied, rescinding the award, removing my profile from its website and reducing the number of awardees from four to three.
Relentless attacks
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Every year, Palestinian journalists are recognised with international awards for their brave reporting under the Israeli occupation and amid relentless attacks. These accolades honour their courage and dedication to uncovering the truth. However, such recognition is often followed by extensive smear campaigns and intense pressure on the awarding organisations from supporters of the Israeli occupation and the Zionist lobby. While some groups uphold their principles and stand by these journalists, others, regrettably, cave to the pressure.