Lawyers at Bindmans LLP, together with barristers from Doughty Street Chambers, have submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on behalf of The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) regarding the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists in Israel. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) have also been working closely with the IFJ and lawyers in relation to the complaint.

The complaint alleges that Israel is systematically targeting journalists working in Palestine, and that Israeli authorities have failed to investigate the murders of media workers in their country. These murders all violate the right to life and freedom of expression, are in breach of international humanitarian law, and amount to war crimes.

There are four victims named in the complaint, all of whom are Palestinian journalists, killed or injured by Israeli snipers while covering demonstrations in Gaza, despite having worn clearly marked ‘PRESS’ vests at the time they were shot. These are just four of 46 journalists who have been killed in Israel since 2000, with no one being held to account for a single death.

The complaint also highlights the ongoing targeting of entire media outlets such as Alam News and Al Hayat Newspapers. 

Bindmans Partner, Tayab Ali, who submitted the complaint, says:

We have seen the consequences for Palestinian journalists that report on Israel’s human rights violations. Since 2000 at least 46 journalists have been killed without anyone being held to account. Israel systematically targets, attacks, maims and kills journalists to prevent accountability for its human rights violations. This cannot be allowed to continue and our legal team will submit a detailed criminal complaint to the International Criminal Court with the aim of finally ending Israel’s impunity and allowing the free press to properly and safely hold the Israeli authorities to account.

Read the IFJ’s full press release on the matter here and below.