Israel has killed 20 journalists with impunity: Committee to Protect Journalists

Israel has killed at least 20 journalists across the West Bank, Gaza and in Israeli territory in the last 20 years - without any hope for justice whatsoever, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). 

Two days before the anniversary of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death, the CPJ has released a scathing new report entitled 'Deadly Pattern: 20 journalists died by Israeli military fire in 22 years. No one has been held accountable.'

Since 2001, 18 Palestinians and two international journalists have been killed by Israeli military fire and no-one has faced trial for taking their lives.

“Over 22 years, CPJ has documented at least 20 journalist killings by members of the Israel Defence Forces. Despite numerous IDF probes, no one has ever been charged or held responsible for these deaths.”

Reporters on the ground face severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, are directly targeted in conflict zones and face constant harassment by occupying forces. The occupied

“Palestinians journalists are largely confined to reporting where they reside — often the sites of major violence,” explained CPJ. 

“They are often early on the scene to cover Israeli military operations in their towns and cities, serving as the first eyes and ears on events that quickly become world news.” 

The Israeli army, in response, has said it "regularly examines and investigates its actions through independent and in-depth inspection and investigation mechanisms".

Israel is, according to the army, a “democratic country committed to the rule of law.” 

But Israeli rigour when investigating the the killings of Palestinians - whether journalists or local residents - largely depends on international pressure, according to the CPJ. 

"There are cursory probes into the deaths of journalists with foreign passports, but that is rarely the case for slain Palestinian reporters. Ultimately, none has seen any semblance of justice," said Sheri Mansour, the CPJ’s Middle East Co-ordinator.

Palestine is ranked 156th in the World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Sans Frontieres.