Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
May 11, 2022
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) extends its sincere condolences to the family of Palestinian journalist Shereen Abu Aqleh, her colleagues, and Al Jazeera Media Network, who was killed by the Israeli occupation forces while performing her journalistic duties on Wednesday.
The late journalist was known for her courage and defense of freedom of speech despite the dangers that surrounded her work over the past decades. She died from a direct headshot while covering an Israeli raid on Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, Palestine.
The SOC condemns in the strongest terms this heinous crime in which journalist Ali al-Samoudi was also injured. The SOC stresses that this is a crime against the free press and media as well as an attempt to silence the voice of truth. This crime also represents a violation of international law as it came eleven days after the World Press Freedom Day.
The SOC stresses the need to protect journalists and press freedom; uphold international law that allows journalists to perform their duties; and criminalize attacks on journalists everywhere around the world. It also calls on the international community to take urgent action to force the Israeli occupation to stop its violence against Palestinians and press workers.
