JEDDAH — A photo exhibition dedicated to showcasing the hardships faced by Palestinian journalists amid ongoing conflicts was inaugurated on Monday by Ambassador Maher Al-Karaki, the Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The event, organized by the Union of News Agencies of the OIC (UNA) in collaboration with the Deputy Secretariat for Institutional Communication of the Islamic World League, took place at the UNA headquarters in Jeddah, marking the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the exhibition aims to shed light on the challenges Palestinian journalists endure due to the Israeli occupation and its effects on the Gaza Strip’s populace. Featuring over 100 photographs, the exhibition provides a vivid portrayal of the Palestinian people’s suffering since the onset of Israeli aggression last October, including the extensive damage inflicted on infrastructure and civilian buildings.
Ambassador Al-Karaki highlighted the exhibition’s role in defending Palestine and presenting an accurate depiction of the situation, especially against Israeli attempts to conceal the truth. He reported that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 130 journalists, making it one of the most perilous for media professionals in recent history and a clear violation of international law. Al-Karaki called for international and media organizations’ support in holding Israel accountable for these crimes against journalists.
The event also received support from Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Suhaibani, the Saudi Permanent Representative to the OIC, who emphasized the exhibition’s alignment with the goals of the Arab-Islamic Summit and the need for increased media efforts to highlight the Palestinian cause globally. Al-Suhaibani advocated for utilizing various media channels, including social media and cinema, to reach a wider international audience.
Mohammed bin Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, Acting Director General of the UNA, mentioned the exhibition’s role in fostering cooperation between the Union and the Palestinian media system, highlighting the significant efforts made by Palestinian media to communicate their reality to the world. The event also saw the launch of the Yona platform, designed to combat misinformation about Palestine, offering tools and training for media professionals to identify fake news and ensuring the use of accurate media terminology.