Speaking in Johannesburg at the 2nd Memorial Conference for murdered journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank, Pandor saddened the situation of journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which she said has become increasingly serious over the past seven months.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Pandor cited, as of April 23 this year, at least 97 journalists and media workers are among the 35,000 people who have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

Attacking journalists in the Occupied Territories, he said, is part of a pattern of silencing the free press and a clear contravention of international law.

International law obliges an occupying power to allow freedom of speech and protest.

In this regard, the capacity of journalists to cover events as they take place is essential, and efforts to intimidate and kill journalists must not be allowed to continue with impunity, she said.

In his remarks, Pandor recalled how despite the ruling of the International Court of Justice, Israel has continued its murderous assault on Gaza with impunity, “killing more civilians, injuring thousands, shelling homes and other buildings and infrastructure, affecting every possible avenue of life for the residents” of the Strip.

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