Press Freedom Program Focuses on Deadly Tank Attack on Journalists from Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 or [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

News Advisory:

UPDATING 3/10: To add that Maya Gebeily and Christina Assi will appear via video

Event
Program to analyze Oct 13, 2023 attack on journalists from Reuters, Agence France Press and Al Jazeera

When
6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 (Doors Open at 6 p.m.)

Where
Ballroom, National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Washington, D.C.

Who

• Bill McCarren, Director, Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club (Welcome)
• Jason Rezaian, Director, Press Freedom Initiatives, The Washington Post (Moderator)
• Dylan Collins, Photojournalist for AFP who was wounded in the incident. He is an American citizen.
• Elie Brakhya, Photojournalist for Al Jazeera, wounded in the incident.
• Maya Gebeily, Reuters Beirut Bureau Chief and and colleague of Reuters Photographer Issam Abdallah, who was killed by tank fire in the incident. Maya will appear via video from Lebanon.
• Christina Assi, AFP Photographer who lost a leg in the incident, will appear via video.

Tickets
This event is open to credentialed journalists, members of the National Press Club and their guests. These and others who wish to attend must request registration via email to [email protected]. You will receive a reply letting you know we can accommodate your request.

Streaming
This event will be live streamed here.

Background
On Oct. 13 a group of seven journalists were covering an artillery exchange across the Israeli-Lebanese border. They were on the Lebanon side looking toward Israel. 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 many circling drones were overhead. The experienced team chose the perfect spot to be visible. There was no tree cover. They had cameras but no weapons.  

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 tore into the legs of Christina Assi of AFP requiring two tourniquets to save her life. She has lost one leg and may lose the other. 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. While everyone was in shock, the cameras continued to record on their tripods, silent witnesses as the journalists fought for their lives and those of their colleagues.  

This story was the subject of outstanding investigative journalism some of which will be shared throughout 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 Government of Israel. 

The IDF repeated in 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 provides the weapons that are fired against journalists. This cannot go on without a discussion. One of the journalists there that day, Dylan Collins, is an American. His parents live in the United States. 

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 well past time to have a serious discussion of what IDF policy is toward journalists working in theater. We will try to encourage that discussion March 12. Please join us.

About the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club
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

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. With 2500 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club and its Press Freedom Center are outspoken on press freedom issues in the U.S. and worldwide.