This campaign pays tribute to at least 117 Palestinian journalists and media workers who lost their lives in the Gaza war and draws attention to the ongoing conflict. SNH seeks to highlight the resilience of those reporting from conflict zones and the urgent need for peace and reconstruction in Gaza. 

IFJ: When and how did the idea for this campaign start?  

The campaign began on 14 May, and since then, we have been publishing illustrations daily on SNH's social media. Sixteen illustrators have joined this initiative (14 from Croatia and two from Serbia), and so far, more than sixty illustrations have been published. 

The idea came from our discussions about how unions should respond to the genocide in Gaza. We've been looking for ways to take action on this issue since last year. When we think about recording the deaths of journalists and other civilians, we remember the controversial phrase “We don't do body counts,” famously said by General Tommy Franks, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq more than 20 years ago, when asked about the number of casualties from U.S. military actions during the Iraq War. (IFJ note: His statement was widely criticized by the media and human rights defenders for being insensitive and showing a lack of care for human lives)

Considering the history of colonial and war atrocities and looking at Palestine today, there should be an emphasis on journalistic responsibility to write and speak about the lives that are lost every day. It is equally important to continuously highlight the broader political context and those responsible for such a widespread loss of life.

IFJ: What is the aim of the initiative? What do you want to tell croatians and to the public worldwide?

The aim of the initiative is to commemorate the countless lives lost daily in the conflict, while also encouraging journalists and citizens in Croatia to take action and think about ways to support peace and freedom in Palestine and Israel. Our colleagues who were killed in Gaza have left us a legacy of struggle and resistance, and it is our duty to carry on their work.

We try to go beyond short-term campaign efforts and focus on long-term political organising. This includes working towards freedom and justice for journalists and workers everywhere, and supporting people who are oppressed or live under occupation around the world. 

IFJ: What inspired you to choose illustrations to honour colleagues who were killed in Gaza?

We chose portraits because they allow us to pause and connect with the people depicted, inviting us to reflect on their personal stories. 

Illustration seems to be the ideal medium because it can add new dimensions to these faces and narratives, inspiring them with a sense of life that a photograph might not capture. Additionally, the illustration process is unique to each artist, and we hope this initiative fosters meaningful engagement with the Palestinian reality among illustrators in Croatia and the surrounding region.

IFJ: This initiative highlights international solidarity among journalists’ unions. Have the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) or Palestinian journalists reacted to your campaign? If so,how?

Yes, our president, Maja Sever, has communicated with the PJS several times. They are aware of the initiative and consider it very meaningful during these challenging times. Additionally, the campaign has received support from neighbouring affiliates, including the Udruženje novinara BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists Association) and the Sindikat novinarjev Slovenije (Slovenian Journalists Union). Both have joined the initiative and shared the illustrations on their platforms, transforming it into a regional campaign.

IFJ: Why is international solidarity important for your union?

International solidarity among workers is a fundamental part of union work that requires continuous organising. This initiative is just one small part of that ongoing effort.

IFJ: Has the union received any criticism or support from the public regarding the campaign?

There has been no explicit criticism, but the silence on this issue is concerning. Only a few Croatian media outlets have covered the initiative, and overall, Croatian media have not provided adequate or comprehensive coverage of the genocide in Gaza.

IFJ: Are there any upcoming plans for the campaign that you would like to share?

We’re planning to hold an exhibition in Zagreb this fall, along with other solidarity activities for Palestine. We also hope to take the exhibition to other cities in Croatia and the region.

The SNH illustration campaign has been possible thanks to the work of Illustrators Ena Jurov, Mirjana Radovanović, Sead (b.i.n.s), Ivana Armanini, Nikolina Fuzul, Luka Duplančić, Lovro Škiljić, Apolonija Lučić, KLARXY, Marko Dješka, Tea Jurišić, Agata Lučić, Hana Tintor, Miron Milić, Cvitković, and Miloš Miletić.