How Israel GOT AWAY With Killing Gaza’s Journalists

Quick Overview

Gaza has become the deadliest place for journalists, with at least 178 killed by Israel since October 7th, 2023, according to an independent analysis by Al Jazeera, highlighting the failure of Western media to cover Israeli crimes, which journalist Plestia Alaqad documents in her book "The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience."

Key Points: At least 178 journalists and media workers were killed by Israel in Gaza as of August 2024, based on an independent analysis by Al Jazeera. Journalist Plestia Alaqad documented the Israeli genocide in Gaza through real-time social media posts, leading to her book, "The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience." Alaqad notes that Western media often ignores Israeli aggression unless there are simultaneous attacks by Hamas, suggesting a biased focus. The book details Alaqad's personal struggle to maintain her identity beyond being seen as a 'perfect victim' or a 'body without a soul.' Alaqad states that the war never truly ends for Palestinians; a ceasefire is merely 'the space between tragedies' where they carry the weight of memories. The high death toll among Palestinian journalists (178+) highlights the extreme danger of reporting from Gaza, a reality Western media often underreports.

Context: The video features an interview between host Mehdi Hasan and Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad, who joins from Lebanon to discuss her experience documenting the conflict in Gaza and the themes in her new book, "The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience." The discussion centers on the immense danger faced by journalists in Gaza, the perceived lack of coverage from Western media regarding Israeli actions, and the psychological toll of living through repeated cycles of violence.

Detailed Analysis

The discussion begins by establishing Gaza as the deadliest place for journalists, citing Al Jazeera's analysis that 178 journalists and media workers had been killed by Israel since October 7th, 2023. Mehdi Hasan points out that Western media often fails to report on Israeli aggression unless it coincides with Hamas actions, suggesting a systemic bias where Palestinian lives and suffering are normalized or ignored. Plestia Alaqad, author of "The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience," explains that her book, which features diary entries dating back to October 7th, serves as a testament to the reality on the ground. She reflects on the difficulty of processing trauma and the danger she and her colleagues face, noting that many Palestinian journalists are killed while reporting, often being falsely labeled as Hamas members by Israeli claims. Alaqad shares her internal struggle to define her identity beyond that of a 'displaced Palestinian journalist' or the 'perfect victim,' expressing a desire to see herself in the mirror as more than just a 'body without a soul.' She contrasts the Western media narrative with the Palestinian reality, where the war is perpetual—a ceasefire is merely the brief period between tragedies, burdened by unbearable memories. She also notes the difficulty of leaving Gaza due to visa and paperwork hurdles, emphasizing that even when outside, she feels unsafe knowing the constant threat faced by those still inside.