International solidarity with Al Mayadeen's martyred journalists
4 Min Read
International media bodies send their condolences to Al Mayadeen and condemn the Israeli raid that killed two of its journalists in South Lebanon.
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Al Mayadeen's journalists, reporter Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Me'mari
After an Israeli raid intentionally targeted Al Mayadeen's crew in southern Lebanon, killing our colleagues, reporter Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Me'mari, international officials and media bodies released statements to condemn the Israeli raid and to send their condolences to Al Mayadeen.
The Cuban Ambassador to Lebanon, Jorge Leon Cruz, offered his condolences to Al Mayadeen at its headquarters, saying: “We are confident that there are hundreds of Farahs and Rabihs in Al Mayadeen".
He stressed that “we called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the opening of all humanitarian crossings.”
For its part, the Union of Journalists in Cuba confirmed that Al Mayadeen continues to fight Israeli attempts to silence people, despite the occupation's threats against its journalists and media professionals.
In a post on X, British rapper, Lowkey, stated that the recent massacre "would violate Article 79 of the Additional Protocol (I) to Geneva Conventions but it is clear that international law doesn't apply to Israel."
Israel killed Al Mayadeen correspondent Farah Omar and photojournalist Rabih Al Maamari in South Lebanon.
— Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) November 21, 2023
This would violate Article 79 of the Additional Protocol (I) to Geneva Conventions but it is clear that international law doesn't apply to Israel. pic.twitter.com/jz1tgdhEZc
In another post on X, Human Rights Defender at Walking Borders, Helena Maleno Garzon, sent her condolences to Al Mayadeen writing, "Israel killed the reporter Farah Omar, and the cameraman, Rabih Me'mari, of the Lebanese television station Al Mayadeen."
Read next: Parents of Al Mayadeen's martyrs bid them farewell at HQs
"A drone shot them with missiles right after a live broadcast, because the army continues to “hunt” journalists who are witnessing the genocide."
Israel mata a la reportera Farah Omar, y al cámara, Rabih Me'mari, de la tele libanesa Al Mayadeen. Un dron les disparó con misiles después de un directo, porque el ejército sigue “cazando” a los periodistas testigos del genocidio. pic.twitter.com/4krEkhUd5v
— Helena Maleno Garzón (@HelenaMaleno) November 21, 2023
Sky News Special Correspondent, Alex Crawford, wrote on X: "Shocking news of the deaths of more journalists in Lebanon. We saw them and spoke to them as we were compiling our report about just that: journalists being targeted in Lebanon - a war crime".
Shocking news of the deaths of more journalists in #Lebanon. We saw them and spoke to them as we were compiling our report about just that : journalists being targeted in #Lebanon - a war crime https://t.co/Z0iLxqTwj5 https://t.co/jnaLBWOspa
— Alex Crawford (@AlexCrawfordSky) November 21, 2023
Read next: Media bodies to Al Mayadeen: Killing witnesses won't kill the truth
On her part, the President of the International Democratic Women’s Union stressed that “the Zionist crime will not silence the voice of Al Mayadeen, which defense the most just causes in the world".
Independent journalist, Richard Medhurst, took to X to condemn "Israel", which "hates free speech and press."
In his statement, he said, "Israel murdered two Al Mayadeen journalists. An Israeli jet fired rockets on Farah Omar, and Rabih Me'mari as they reported from South Lebanon this morning," stressing that "Israel has killed more journalists since Oct 7 than any war has in 30 years."
Royal House of Mandela
Furthermore, in a formal message to Al Mayadeen, the Royal House of Mandela extended their condolences to the colleagues and family members of Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari.
"Martyrs Farah and Rabih joins the ranks of the heroes of the struggle for a free Palestine and justice for all its people," the letter read.
"We condemn the callous atrocities committed by the Zionist state and stand in certainty that the lives of Martyr Farah Omar and Rabih Al-Maamari were not in vain. May Allah elevate their ranks in paradise and may He be well pleased with them and their sacrifice."
The RHoM also extended their condolences the the people of Lebanon, and mourned the losses of "all our martyrs in South Lebanon, Gaza, and all of Occupied Palestine," and furthermore commended the people of South Lebanon and their leadership for taking a principled stance in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
"Victory is certain and the Apartheid Israel murderers of innocent civilians, women, children, and elders will face defeat."
The letter also cited recent efforts by the South African authorities to lodge a case with the ICC against Netanyahu and his cabinet to be tried for crimes against humanity.
BREAKING: Israel murdered two Al Mayadeen journalists. An Israeli jet fired rockets on Farah Omar, and Rabih Me'mari as they reported from South Lebanon this morning
— Richard Medhurst (@richimedhurst) November 21, 2023
Israel has killed more journalists since Oct 7 than any war has in 30 years.
Israel hates free speech and press pic.twitter.com/K0iLeNquBo
