Press Freedom Center Forum: Deadly Tank Attack on Journalists From Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera
Mar 12 2025
WHEN:
Mar 12, 2025 at 6:30pm
WHERE:
Ballroom
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Registration/tickets required
Join us for a special program presented by the Press Freedom Center at The National Press Club to analyze the October 13, 2023 attack on journalists from Reuters, Agence France Press and Al Jazeera.
Speakers include:
- Bill McCarren, Director, Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club (Welcome)
- Jason Rezaian, Director, Press Freedom Initiatives, The Washington Post (Moderator)
- Dylan Collins, Video journalist for AFP who was wounded in the incident. He is an American citizen.
- Elie Brakhya, Senior cameraman for Al Jazeera, wounded in the incident.
- Maya Gebeily, Reuters Beirut Bureau Chief and colleague of cameraman Issam Abdallah, who was killed in the attack
- Christina Assi, AFP Photographer who lost a leg in the incident (via video).
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.
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.