Lebanon’s Ministry of Information, alongside the Press Syndicate, the Editors' Syndicate, and the National Audiovisual Media Council, issued a joint statement condemning what it described as “dangerous declarations and threats” by Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee who threatened Lebanese media institutions and journalists with “destruction and assassination.”
“In the past two days, Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, issued two declarations threatening Lebanese media outlets and journalists with destruction and death. He stripped them of their civilian status, as recognized by the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, UNESCO, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Journalists, and the General Union of Arab Journalists. This effectively renders them legitimate targets for Israel’s military machine, blatantly disregarding international laws, treaties, and conventions worldwide,” the statement read.
The statement further stressed that the threats “essentially target all media institutions and journalists,” describing them as a stark violation of human rights and democratic principles.
“Such rhetoric fosters and legitimizes a culture of terrorism, necessitating a broad international, regional, and Arab response to counter this unprecedented and dangerous stance, both in times of war and peace,” the statement added, further declaring, “The threats by Adraee, an official spokesperson for the Israeli army, have been submitted to the aforementioned international organizations. We strongly condemn and denounce these statements.”
The statement also emphasized that these explicit threats constitute “a war crime under international law,” urging urgent action at national, humanitarian, and professional levels to counter them. “This is a direct attack on freedom of expression and press freedom,” it stated, calling on relevant organizations to act swiftly to mitigate the risks posed by Adraee’s declarations.
Finally, the statement called on all Lebanese media outlets and journalists, regardless of their affiliations, to demonstrate the utmost solidarity in the face of these threats.
“If such rhetoric persists, no one will be spared,” the statement warned.
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