In a post he shared in Turkish and English on his social media account, Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun responded to the attack by Israeli forces on AA photojournalist Mustafa Haruf, who was working in occupied East Jerusalem.
Noting that Israeli forces continue their systematic targeting of journalists, Director of Communications Altun said, "Just today, they attacked Anadolu Agency photojournalist Mustafa Haruf, who was doing his job in East Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers seriously injured him, who had to be hospitalised. I condemn Israeli attacks on journalists in the strongest terms, and I wish Mr Haruf a speedy recovery. Israel’s violence against journalists is clearly part of their campaign to silence the international media."
Pointing out that Israel’s merciless attacks on civilians have caused the deaths of more than 60 journalists, with many more seriously injured and some missing, Director of Communications Altun went on to say:
"These numbers are probably the highest in any conflict zone. The Israeli forces refuse to do the bare minimum to protect journalists. On the contrary, they are only interested in preventing media workers from doing their jobs to report the truth from the ground. Israel has made it a habit to violate every international norm protecting the public’s right to accurate information. Israel’s campaign to terrorise and displace the civilian population in Gaza has already resulted in more than 18,000 civilian deaths.
To minimise the international reaction, they are trying to cover up the devastation on the ground by intimidating journalists. Their efforts to create a blackout of their war crimes in Gaza will continue to fail. The world has already seen so much thanks to the bravery of media workers and news professionals. We are proud of the work that Anadolu Agency and TRT have been doing in occupied Palestine. I applaud our crews’ courage and determination to do their job under such difficult conditions.''
''Israel's attacks are combined with a deliberate campaign to silence our colleagues on the ground''
Highlighting that the work of the members of the press in the region is critical for the international public to know the realities of the ongoing occupation and violence in Palestine, Director of Communications Altun noted:
''Israeli forces must stop treating our colleagues like criminals and commit to protecting all journalists. It has been more than two months that Israel has been targeting Gaza with no concern for civilian deaths or displacement. The humanitarian situation has been extremely dire. Israeli forces appear only interested in committing further human rights violations and war crimes against civilians, including journalists. Their indiscriminate attacks against civilians are combined with a deliberate campaign to silence our colleagues on the ground. This will not succeed!
The international public has a right to know what is happening on the ground in Gaza and other occupied territories. We call upon all international news organisations to expose Israel for its human rights violations and campaign against journalists. All news organisations need to stand up to Israel’s bullying and intimidation. Once again, I offer my sympathies to news professionals who have been injured while doing their jobs, and I wish them a speedy recovery. I also want to honour the memory of dozens of journalists who have lost their lives by offering my condolences to their loved ones. I know that no words can heal their wounds or remedy their loss, but I want them to know we will never forget our colleagues.''