How Israel GOT AWAY With Killing Gaza’s Journalists

Zeteo

1,501 views • 13 days ago

Video Summary

Gaza has become the world's most dangerous place for journalists, with at least 278 killed since October 7th, 2023. This grim reality underscores the vital role of on-the-ground reporters in documenting events and countering narratives that sanitize alleged Israeli actions. The transcript highlights the experiences of one such journalist, whose diary entries, starting from an ordinary 12-year-old's concerns, evolved to chronicle the devastating reality of a genocide.

The speaker, a young journalist from Gaza, reflects on how international media attention to her region is often only sparked by violence, rather than genuine interest in the lives of its inhabitants. She recounts how her personal experiences, including enduring multiple Israeli aggressions, have shaped her perspective and her decision to become a journalist, driven by a desire to counter misrepresentations. Her viral videos, initially an attempt to raise awareness, revealed the depth of trauma and normalization of violence experienced by those in Gaza.

The discussion also touches on the personal toll of covering such immense suffering, the challenges of maintaining a sense of identity and safety when displaced, and the critical failure of Western media to adequately report on the killing of Palestinian journalists. The book, "The Eyes of Gaza, a diary of resilience," serves as a testament to the enduring spirit and struggle for truth amidst overwhelming adversity.

Short Highlights

Gaza has become the deadliest place for journalists, with at least 278 killed since October 7th, 2023.
The speaker's diary, initially focused on typical teenage life, now documents a genocide.
International media attention to Gaza is primarily driven by Israeli aggression and bombings, not the daily lives of its people.
Journalists in Gaza face extreme danger, starvation, and the constant risk of death while reporting.
The speaker expresses disillusionment with the global response to the ongoing conflict and the failure of Western media to acknowledge the scale of journalist deaths.

Key Details

Gaza: A Deadly Zone for Journalists [00:00]

Gaza is described as the deadliest place in the world for journalists.
As of August, at least 278 journalists and media workers had been killed by Israel since October 7th, 2023.
This number is likely to have grown since August.
The need for journalists on the ground in Gaza is emphasized as crucial for global awareness and as a counterpoint to Western media sanitizing alleged Israeli actions.

This section establishes the dire context for journalists in Gaza and highlights their essential role in reporting the truth.

Gaza has become the deadliest place in the world for journalists.

The Transformation of a Diary [01:05]

The speaker, at 12 years old, wrote in her diary about everyday things like school, friends, and crushes.
A decade later, her diary serves a completely different purpose: documenting the outbreak of a genocide.
She expresses disbelief that her diary would ever be used to record such an event.

This section illustrates the profound and tragic shift in the speaker's life and her diary's purpose due to the ongoing conflict.

I never thought that well, I will actually write and document about a genocide that I'm living and that is happening to my people.

Media Portrayal and Gaza's Reality [01:57]

The speaker expresses frustration with how Palestinians are viewed by the world.
International media, she states, is only interested in Gaza when Israel is involved in aggression or when bombs are falling.
This implies a global focus on death rather than life in Gaza.
Journalists in Gaza primarily work when there is aggression because that is when media outlets contact them.
She feels the media portrays Palestinians as if they are "born to die," focusing only on death and displacement.

This part of the transcript details the speaker's critique of media bias and its impact on the perception of Palestinians.

The world sees us in the way the media portray us. And the media only cares cares about us or portray us when there's a a genocide and Israeli aggression.

Measuring Time by Aggressions [03:07]

The speaker notes that by October 7th, 2023, she had lived through four significant Israeli aggressions (2009, 2012, 2014, 2021).
She describes this as a devastating way to measure time and life.
This is presented as the unfortunate reality for many in Gaza.
The cycle of violence is likened to Israel "mowing the lawn" every few years.
She recounts an experience in 2021 when she returned to Gaza to visit family and an Israeli aggression began immediately, highlighting how time is marked by these events.

This topic emphasizes the perpetual state of conflict and how it dictates the perception of time and life in Gaza.

Unfortunately, yes. Because that's the reality.

The Purpose of Journalism [04:15]

The speaker's motivation for becoming a journalist was more about purpose than passion.
She feels that in Gaza, many choose their majors based on a mission.
She disliked how the media portrayed Palestinians and initially believed being on TV to say "Free Palestine" was a simple solution.
Her younger self thought the media's lack of justice was the primary problem, and objective reporting would lead to freedom for Palestine.
Her first viral video in early October 2023 led many channels to translate and post it, and she genuinely believed these videos would stop the genocide.

This section delves into the speaker's early aspirations for journalism and her initial naive hopes for its impact.

I feel like it was more of a purpose than actually passion.

Viral Videos and the Normalization of Trauma [05:35]

The speaker's viral video showed her sheltering from windows as a bomb went off in the background.
She did not expect the video to be seen by so many people and initially considered her calm reaction to the bombing normal due to her trauma and being around traumatized individuals.
The global reaction to her video, questioning her calmness, made her realize how abnormal it was to be so accustomed to such events.
This highlights the deep level of trauma required for such a reaction to be considered "normal."

This topic explores the impact of her viral content and the stark realization of her own and her community's trauma.

Like I realized like how much trauma does it take you for this to be your reaction?

Targeted by Propaganda: The Necklace Incident [06:39]

As she gained prominence, the speaker became a target of Israeli propaganda.
She details an instance where a necklace she wore, in the shape of Palestine and passed down from her mother and grandmother, was misrepresented.
Israel claimed the necklace said "annihilate Israel," despite it simply saying "Palestine" in Arabic.
She was accused of being a member of Hamas, a common accusation against Palestinian journalists.
This experience, alongside threats from Israel, contrasted with the love and admiration she received globally.

This section addresses the targeted misinformation campaign against her, focusing on a specific instance of propaganda.

I wasn't surprised to be honest and I felt like how desperate can you be that you're literally attacking a necklace.

The Heartbreaking Reality of Journalist Deaths [07:50]

The speaker describes the deaths of colleagues as "heartbreaking," an understatement.
She questions when journalism became a crime and killing journalists became acceptable.
She notes that currently, more journalists in Gaza are likely killed than are still alive and reporting.
The immense difficulty and challenge of being a journalist in Gaza is emphasized.
Journalists in Gaza are starving while reporting on starvation, and are targets themselves, facing death while reporting.
They risk their lives and their families' safety daily to tell the truth.

This topic reflects on the immense loss and danger faced by journalists in Gaza, questioning the world's response.

The word heartbreaking is honestly an understatement.

Reporting on Genocide: An Unprecedented Challenge [09:44]

The speaker admits that no one truly knows how to report on a genocide.
Past workshops on professional and safe journalism seemed inadequate for the reality in Gaza.
The intensity of the situation made it difficult to believe what was happening was real.
She recounts focusing intensely on filming and interviewing, only to later realize the victim was someone she knew, making it personally devastating.
As a Palestinian, the destruction of streets, homes, and lives feels deeply personal, like her entire life is being bombed away.

This section details the profound psychological and emotional challenges of reporting on such widespread destruction and loss within one's own community.

I don't think anyone knows how to report on a genocide.

Dignity in Sharing Stories [10:51]

She writes that people in Gaza are divided into two groups: those who share their stories to prove what's happening, and those who don't want to be seen as displaced and hungry, both driven by dignity.
As a journalist, she needs the first group for storytelling and impact.
However, she respects those who don't want to share, never pressuring them.
She explains that some individuals, like a girl who lost limbs, did not want their images circulated online due to their inability to accept their current reality and the perceived lack of impact from such sharing.
She believes awareness is already sufficiently raised and respects individuals' choices regarding their stories.

This topic highlights the ethical considerations in journalism, particularly regarding the dignity and consent of victims.

Yes. But I'm the type of journalist who never pressure people to tell their story.

The Trauma of Displacement [12:49]

The speaker is now in Lebanon, having previously lived in Australia.
She describes falling into depression after leaving Gaza for Australia.
She later reflects that feeling depressed after leaving Gaza is "selfish" compared to those still enduring the situation.
Since leaving Gaza, she has begun processing and understanding what she witnessed.
She states she has not felt safe even in Australia, attributing this to the ongoing genocide.
Leaving Gaza meant losing a sense of homeland safety, becoming a refugee requiring extensive visas and paperwork.
She feels a sense of not belonging in the world outside of Gaza, viewing Gaza as having protected them from an "evil world."

This section delves into the speaker's personal experience of displacement, the psychological impact, and the feeling of not belonging.

Like now I'm suddenly a refugee and whenever I want to visit any country I need to apply to endless visa just to pro endless visa and paperwork to prove I'm real and genuine.

The Unending War and a Plea for Peace [14:55]

The speaker quotes her book: "Wars do not end when the bombs stop falling. They linger in the minds of those who survive and in the void left by those who do not. For Palestinians, the war is never over. Ceasefire is merely the space between tragedies."
She expresses that even ceasefires are just intervals between tragedies, carrying the unbearable weight of memories.
She admits to having hoped the genocide might be over by now, but it hasn't been.
She questions whether actual peace is possible or if it's just about stopping the fighting, noting that current "deals" are more like ceasefires, not processes for freedom.
She describes living in an unfair world where their dream is for a free Palestine, but currently, they only dream of the killing stopping.
She questions the low standards for Palestinians, whose primary hope is simply to stop being killed.

This topic explores the lasting impact of conflict and the speaker's perspective on the elusive nature of peace.

For Palestinians, the war is never over. Ceasefire is merely the space between tragedies.

Journalism's Impact and the World's Indifference [16:35]

She questions when journalism will have an impact, given the genocide has been live-streamed for two years with no end in sight.
Initially, she found it difficult to watch graphic videos, wanting to scroll past.
She realized the privilege of being able to scroll, as it is the daily reality for Palestinians.
Her question shifts from the impact of journalism to when the world will have "enough of our blood."
She criticizes Western media for saying very little about the mass killing of Palestinian journalists.
She believes prominent Western journalists have failed not only Palestinians but their own profession.

This section critically examines the effectiveness of journalism in the face of ongoing atrocities and the lack of solidarity from Western media.

My question is when will the world have enough of our blood?

A Crisis of Identity [18:16]

In her book, she writes about being a displaced Palestinian journalist expected to be a "perfect victim" and not recognizing herself.
She felt a crisis of identity after leaving Gaza, where she was seen for who she was, not as a number or headline.
Outside Gaza, she feels mistaken for someone she's not, perceived as a "hero" or "genocide survivor."
She believes everyone still alive in Gaza is alive by luck, and it could have been any of them who died.
She finds it challenging to know who she is and her place in the world as a Palestinian not in Palestine.

This topic delves into the speaker's personal struggle with identity and self-perception after leaving her homeland.

I never felt like I have an identity crisis when I was in Gaza.

A Poem on Enduring War and Resilience [19:41]

The speaker reads a poem about the nature of war and its end.
The poem questions how one knows when wars end, given the destruction of homes and the continued suffering.
It asks if wars end when children stop dying, when babies stop shivering, or when the earth stops swallowing bodies.
It suggests wars in Gaza end only when the last person is gone.
The poem emphasizes that war in Gaza is not just about physical destruction but an internal "war against forgetting and against not forgetting."
It highlights the struggle for survival, food, water, life, shelter, and rebuilding.
Despite the constant wars, resilience, love, and the will to live are presented as equally constant forces in Gaza.

This final section shares a poignant poem that encapsulates the experience of perpetual conflict and the enduring human spirit in Gaza.