Al Jazeera Condemns Netanyahu UN Speech on Journalist Safety

Al Jazeera Media Network issued a statement on Friday rejecting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks made during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Netanyahu referred to Al Jazeera as one of the world's 'toxic media outlets' that intends to 'brainwash young minds to hate Israel.' The network described the comments as part of a sustained campaign against its journalists.

Network links rhetoric to journalist safety threats

Al Jazeera stated Netanyahu sought to stop the network from reporting facts from the ground, documenting events, and ensuring a range of perspectives are heard. The network expressed concern that such rhetoric delivered from the UN podium poses a direct threat to the safety of its journalists working in the field. Its Friday statement highlighted that the rhetoric poses a particular threat to its journalists in Gaza, linking it to the heavy toll borne by Al Jazeera’s staff there.

The network said it "categorically rejects Netanyahu’s remarks, regarding them as the latest example of Israel’s sustained campaign against Al Jazeera and its journalists."

Pattern of suppression and violence against journalists

Al Jazeera noted its statement fits into Israel’s sustained campaign against the network. Two years ago Israel’s cabinet voted to shut down Al Jazeera in the country, ordering closure of its offices and a ban on its broadcasts. This followed a Knesset law allowing the Israeli government to temporarily close foreign media outlets deemed a threat to security.

More than 270 journalists have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s military offensive. At least 12 of those killed were reporting for Al Jazeera. The network reported that several of its journalists and camera operators were killed while working and that some faced incitement and vilification before being targeted.

Al Jazeera stated that measures against it do not target Al Jazeera alone; they also undermine the right of every person to access truthful information and independent journalistic coverage.

Broader impact on journalist families and press freedom

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported that of over 73,000 people killed in Gaza, at least 706 are family members of Palestinian journalists. Netanyahu’s UN speech also attacked critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Al Jazeera affirmed that the role of journalism is to provide the world with facts and context, while respecting the right and ability of individuals to assess sources and form their own opinions.