December 20, 2023 — The Society of Environmental Journalists joins other [2] press [3] organizations [4] in decrying the continued killing, wounding and harassment of journalists in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.

As of Dec. 19, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists [5], at least 68 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began Oct. 7 — 61 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese. Dozens more have been arrested, injured or gone missing.

A free and independent press is critically important in wartime to provide reliable reports of conditions in conflict zones, document atrocities and potential war crimes and alert the public to safety threats.

We call on all parties in the conflict to respect international law [6], ensure press safety and conduct thorough investigations into all acts of violence against journalists.