As part of the Western media crackdown on Pro-Palestinian content, the European Parliament Secretariat removed 14 photos taken by Al Mayadeen Media Network, from a photo exhibition organized by a leftist parliamentary group.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent, Moussa Assi, explained that the organizers planned the exhibition, set on April 16th in Brussels, intending to feature photos revealing the aftermath of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Al Mayadeen Media Network was extended an invite by the organizers to feature photos showing the impact of war, particularly on Gaza's children, and showcasing the widespread destruction, the condition of Gaza's hospitals, and more.

He further added that the Parliament Secretariat argued they didn't have sufficient time to review the photos before displaying them. However, the organizers of the exhibition confirmed they had submitted the photos within the designated timeframe. They asserted that the decision to remove the photos was politically motivated and influenced by pressure from right-winged parties within the European parliament.

On Tuesday, #AlMayadeen was banned from presenting pictures taken in #Gaza in a photo exhibition in Brussels, #Belgium, despite the photographs being coordinated beforehand, in yet another attack on the freedom of press and those who support the #Palestinian cause for liberation… pic.twitter.com/IqcceTl3HA

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 18, 2024

The organizers requested that our correspondent, a representative of Al Mayadeen Media Network, give a speech at the exhibition where the prohibited photos will be displayed on a screen in the background. However, the EU parliament desk employees intervened, demanded the photos' removal, and proceeded to cut off the screen cables provocatively.

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What happened further indicates that the European Parliament was adamant on preventing the broadcasting of any content that exposes Israeli crimes in Gaza, Hypocritically, images from the war in Ukraine were allowed to be featured in the exhibition, proving the EU's clear double standards and selective humanity, particularly its stance on the humanitarian crises in Gaza. 

Clear attempt to conceal the truth

Some members of the leftist parliamentary group emphasized that the decision does not reflect the stance of the party or the sentiment of the European public, which has shown increasing support for the Palestinian cause.

In his speech, Al Mayadeen's correspondent mentioned that the European Parliament's decision to remove the photos is a clear attempt to "conceal the truth" of what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the reality of "Israel's" ongoing genocide in the Strip. 

He referred to the decision as a direct attack on Al Mayadeen, which has been subjected to several attacks concerning the Palestinian cause in occupied Palestine, Lebanon, and other countries on multiple occasions. Our correspondent stressed that Al Mayadeen's commitment to always speak the truth has come at a cost, leading to censorship.

Al Mayadeen affirms its commitment to Palestine

Last year, the Israeli war cabinet approved regulations that would allow the occupation government to ban and shut down Al Mayadeen Media Network, which comprises a foreign channel as per the emergency regulations descriptions and broadcasts in "Israel" in three languages: Arabic, English, and Spanish.

The occupation's war cabinet issued an order to block Al Mayadeen's online operations in occupied Palestine as well and seize its broadcasting equipment. 

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