Press Freedom Program Focuses On Deadly Tank Attack On Journalists From Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —

UPDATING: To add that Maya Gebeily and Christina Assi will appear via video

Tickets:

This event is open to credentialed journalists, as well as members of the foreign policy community. These and others who wish to attend must request registration via email to wmccarren@press.org . You will receive a reply letting you know we can accommodate your request. 

Streaming:

This event will be live streamed here:

https://www.press.org/events/press-freedom-center-forum-deadly-tank-attack-journalists-reuters-afp-al-jazeera

Background:

On Oct. 13 a group of seven journalists were covering an artillery exchange across the Israeli-Lebanese border. They selected some unprotected high ground. They wanted to be seen by everybody. Their helmets, vests and vehicles were all marked PRESS. They even marked the top and hood of the vehicles so their PRESS sign could be seen from the air. And there was a lot in the air that day. An Israeli helicopter and drones were overhead. The experienced team chose the perfect spot to be visible. There was no tree cover.

They had been in their location for a couple hours when without warning, they received fire from an Israeli tank. The first shell killed Reuters Cameraman Issam Abdallah, a beloved, gregarious soul. The same shell hit the legs of Christina Assi of AFP. She lost one leg. She is 30. 

The second shell came in 37 seconds later, igniting an Al Jazeera vehicle and wounding the other five journalists. None of their lives would ever be the same.

This story was the subject of outstanding investigative journalism some of which will be shared at this event. Others also investigated: Amnesty International; Human Rights Watch; Reporters Without Borders. Here is who did not investigate: The Government of the United States of America; The Israeli Defense Forces.

The IDF repeated a statement that they do not target journalists as a matter of policy. Yet, they do not investigate incidents like this one to ensure their teams are following the policy. They don’t re-train those who wander from the policy. They don’t suspend soldiers who fire upon journalists, nor, do they dismiss them. They let them remain in the field.

The United States makes and provides the weapons that are fired against journalists. One of the journalists there that day, Dylan Collins, is an American.

Soon we anticipate that Gaza, a place where so many Palestinian journalists have been killed, will again be open to International news organizations like Reuters, AFP and Al Jazeera. Also AP, the Washington Post, CNN, the New York Times and others will be working there. It is long past time to have a clear discussion of what IDF policy is toward journalists working in theater. We will try to encourage that discussion March 12. Please join us.

Founded in November 2024, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club was formed to support journalists who are in trouble – wrongfully imprisoned, jailed, attacked, wounded, targeted with lawsuits, chased from their countries. We stand with these journalists from Reuters, AFP and Al Jazeera as they seek justice and struggle to make sense of what has happened to them. If you wish to support us in our work, you may do so here: http://www.press.org/donatepfc

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 or wmccarren@press.org for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

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SOURCE National Press Club

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