Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and his far-right, anti-democratic government continue to wage war on civilians and truth-tellers, preferring endless conflict to peace.
The new documentary Journacide: The War on Truth raises urgent questions about the targeting of journalists whose duty is to bear witness and report the facts. Israel's latest and ongoing assault on Lebanon has brought the death toll of journalists there to 29. Irish filmmaker Seán Murray investigated the killings of four of those journalists. On March 28, journalists Ali Shoeib and brother and sister Fatima and Mohamed Ftouni were killed together in an Israeli drone strike on their car. On April 22, journalist Amal Khalil was injured in an airstrike and later died from her injuries after waiting for hours inside a bombed building while rescuers awaited clearance to reach her.
The silencing of reporters, aid workers and civilians in war zones should concern every person who values justice, human rights and accountability.
Jewish scripture speaks clearly: "Do not kill the innocent and righteous" (Exodus 23:7) and "Do not stand idly by while your neighbor's blood is shed" (Leviticus 19:16). The prophet Micah calls on us to act with justice, mercy and humility. Throughout history, prophets and truth-tellers have often been persecuted by powerful rulers for speaking uncomfortable truths.
The lessons of the Holocaust demand remembrance, accountability and a commitment to "Never Again" for all people. The principle of pikuach nefesh, the obligation to protect human life, stands at the heart of Jewish ethics.
Rabbis, religious leaders and people of conscience everywhere must raise their voices against the killing of civilians, journalists and humanitarian workers, and demand respect for international law, human dignity and the sanctity of human life. Silence in the face of suffering is not neutrality; it is abandonment of our shared moral responsibility.
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