Palestinian Journalists Honored at “Bayeux France” War Correspondents Awards

Key Highlights:

• Palestinian journalists dominate the “Bayeux France” War Correspondents Awards for their brave reporting during the Gaza conflict.
• Despite facing targeted attacks, Palestinian journalists continue to reveal the truth about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for international accountability to stop ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and media professionals.

Islamabad: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Islamabad has extended heartfelt congratulations to the journalists from Gaza Strip for winning prestigious awards at the “Bayeux Calvados-Normandie International Festival” in France.

The Palestinian journalists were recognized for their exceptional war reporting and photography, capturing the harrowing events of the genocidal war in Gaza. Their work has earned them top honors in various categories, showcasing their bravery and commitment to documenting the truth amid the ongoing conflict.

Here is the list of notable winners from Gaza:

• Rami Abu Jamous, who took home first prize in three different categories, including both print and visual journalism, solidifying his reputation as one of the region’s top war correspondents.
• Mahmoud Al-Hams from the French News Agency, won first prize for best photograph, capturing an image that deeply resonated with viewers.
• Mohammed Al-Baba, also from the French News Agency, won the school students’ vote award for one of his photographs, highlighting the emotional impact of his work on young audiences.
• Ali Jadallah, representing the Anadolu Agency, secured third place in the photography category, for his compelling visual storytelling.
• Mohammed Abu Safia, from ITV News, won the first prize for best television report, for his in-depth and courageous coverage of the conflict.
• Ahmed Abu Ajwa, from Sky News, earned third prize for a television report, showcasing his ability to narrate the events of the war with clarity and precision.
• Saher Al-Ghara, from Zuma Agency, received the Best Young Reporter Award, affirming the next generation of Palestinian journalism talent.
• Louay Ayoub, a photographer for the Washington Post, was awarded second prize in the young reporter category.

The Ministry praised the resilience of Palestinian journalists. They also emphasized that despite the “Israeli occupation’s direct targeting of journalists and media institutions during their coverage of the war in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, these journalists were able to expose the brutality of the crimes committed against the Palestinian people”. Their courage, the Ministry noted, lies in their “unyielding determination to convey the truth”, often at great personal risk.

The Ministry called for the “activation of international justice” to put an end to the violations against Palestinian journalists and the people of Gaza. They emphasized the need for “immediate measures to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable” under international law, as well as to safeguard the rights of journalists.