Al Jazeera Journalist Killed in Gaza: JMSI Holds Solidarity Rally
The Indonesian Cyber Media Network (JMSI) Batang-Pekalongan held a solidarity action on Jalan Veteran, Batang Regency, on Tuesday (August 12, 2025), in strong protest against the death of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif in an Israeli military airstrike in Gaza City, Palestine.
The action was attended by JMSI administrators and members who carried banners and posters containing messages of support for journalists in conflict zones. They also observed a moment of silence to honor the journalists who died while on duty.
JMSI Batang Chairman, Ujie, expressed his deep condolences for the death of Anas Al-Sharif, who died near Al-Shifa Hospital on Sunday evening (August 10, 2025). The attack also killed several other journalists covering the incident.
“We express our deepest respect for the courage of the journalists in Gaza who risked their lives to report the truth. The Israeli attack is not only a violation of human rights, but also a disregard for international humanitarian law that guarantees the safety of civilian journalists,” Ujie said in his speech.
The Journalists Movement Journal (JMSI) notes that since the Gaza genocide began in October 2023, at least 237 journalists have been killed by Israeli military attacks. This data underscores the high risks faced by journalists in conflict zones and illustrates a serious threat to press freedom.
In this action, JMSI urges the Indonesian government, particularly the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital, to take concrete steps to support the safety of journalists in conflict zones.
“We must not allow a situation like this to happen to our journalists in Indonesia,” Ujie emphasized.
He also urged all national press organizations not to remain silent but to play an active role in mobilizing humanitarian petitions and global solidarity to stop attacks on journalists. JMSI believes cross-border collaboration is crucial to strengthening the protection of media workers in vulnerable areas.
In addition to condemning the killing of journalists, JMSI also strongly condemns the forced starvation imposed by Israel on Gazans, including journalists. The total blockade on food, electricity, and access to information is considered to exacerbate the suffering of civilians.
According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Information as of July 18, 2025, at least 228 journalists have been killed since the latest aggression began, most of them while carrying out their journalistic duties.
“Imagine, they were reporting crimes against humanity amidst total destruction, but now they are also struggling to survive. This is a crime against journalism itself,” said Ujie.
According to the JMSI, the tragedy that befell journalists in Gaza provides moral momentum to call for global concern for press freedom and the right to life of media workers.
“This attack is not just an attack on individuals, but also an attack on truth itself,” said Ujie.
The JMSI calls on all elements of society, the media, and international organizations to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law that protects journalists and civilians.
The conflict in Gaza has escalated again since October 2023, when Israel launched a large-scale military operation that resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Several international organizations have assessed that the attacks on journalists are an attempt to silence independent reporting on the situation on the ground.
To date, humanitarian aid distribution channels remain limited, worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
JMSI emphasized that it will continue to monitor this issue through reporting, solidarity campaigns, and advocacy at the national and international levels.
“As long as these violations continue, we will continue to speak out. Press freedom is the foundation of democracy. If press freedom collapses in Gaza, it will set a terrible precedent for the world,” Ujie concluded.
