“Palestinian Journalists Forum” Condemns Incitement Campaign Against Journalist Mahmoud Haniyeh
The Palestinian Journalists Forum condemned on Monday the systematic and deliberate incitement and defamation campaign against Palestinian journalist Mahmoud Haniyeh, based on his opinions, media stances, and his professional work in confronting the Israeli enemy narrative, affirming its full solidarity with him in facing this campaign.
The Forum stated in a release on its Facebook page, monitored by the Yemeni News Agency (SABA): “Targeting journalist Haniyeh and other journalists and professionals due to their opinions, their diligent work, and attempts to undermine their professional reputation or drag them into odious defamation campaigns and abhorrent incitement constitutes a serious violation of freedom of opinion and expression and a direct assault on the foundations of journalistic work based on independence, pluralism, and conveying the truth.”
It clarified that Haniyeh did not hesitate for a moment in his work during the genocide war on the Gaza Strip, despite sustaining injuries to his body, the martyrdom of his wife, journalist Duaa Sharaf, and his child, and the destruction of his home.
The Forum indicated that such campaigns only serve a climate of repression and silencing free voices and ultimately end up serving an enemy that has been the most extreme in killing the elite of media professionals and journalists in the Gaza Strip.
It affirmed that “difference of opinion does not justify incitement, defamation, or alignment with the narrative and attacks of the Israeli enemy to defame our journalists and incite against them.”
It pointed out that protecting journalists and their right to express their opinions is a national and moral duty, especially in light of the systematic targeting and continuous threats faced by Palestinian journalists, including Mahmoud Haniyeh, from the enemy.
The Palestinian Journalists Forum called for an immediate halt to incitement and defamation campaigns and respect for freedom of journalistic work. It also urged media and human rights institutions to shoulder their responsibilities in defending journalists, confronting hate speech, and ensuring a safe environment that guarantees freedom of expression.