RAMALLAH, May 2, 2025 (WAFA) – On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on May 3, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate issued a statement on Friday calling for the immediate release of journalists held in Israeli detention, the restoration of journalistic activity in Gaza, the reconstruction of media institutions and local radio stations, and the provision of the necessary resources to support these efforts.

The syndicate urged the international community to uphold the global principle of ending impunity for those who kill journalists or commit crimes against them by expediting legal proceedings to hold Israeli occupation leaders accountable and bring them to justice.

It also called for increased financial, logistical, and moral support for journalists, their union and media institutions to enable them to continue their work and remain resilient in the face of genocide and brutal crimes.

The statement emphasized the painful irony that while the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Palestine is witnessing one of the most horrific and unprecedented media genocides in history, carried out by the Israeli war machine.

It added that this genocide is reflected in the killing of 210 Palestinian journalists—men and women—over more than 17 months of war, in addition to the killing and wounding of hundreds of their family members, the complete destruction of press institutions and infrastructure, and the commission thousands of violations against journalists in the West Bank.

The syndicate further noted that 55 journalists remain imprisoned by Israel out of a total of 177 who have been detained since October 7, 2023, with the fate of two journalists still unknown.

The Journalists’ Syndicate further called for the immediate end to the genocidal war waged against the Palestinian people.

T.R.