Baker is president of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), a union to which approximately 80 percent of Palestinian journalists belong. Since 7 October, the PJS Vice President, Tahseen al-Astall, who is based in Gaza, has been distributing aid to the 1,000 journalists who are currently reporting from the enclave.
“For over a month now, Gaza’s journalists have been telling the world the story – and sadly many have also become the story: 35 journalists have been killed by Israeli bombs and bullets since 7 October,” said Baker, who is based in the West Bank.
Aid distributed to date includes individual blast trauma first aid kits, and battery packs to recharge equipment – a particularly pressing need given the shortage of power in Gaza.
Baker encourages all who want to help Gaza’s journalists to continue their work to contribute to the IFJ’s International Safety Fund, which will pass donations directly to the PJS to fund further aid. Tents and sleeping equipment are an immediate priority. The IFJ is working with Unesco to find ways to transport such goods through the Rafah crossing.
The IFJ’s International Safety Fund was established in January 1992, and provides a lifeline to colleagues around the world who experience violence, threats and injury as a result of the work they do, ensuring help is at hand when most needed. The Fund is unique, being the only journalists’ global assistance fund, financed mainly by donations from individual journalists and journalists’ organisations. It receives no funding from governments or corporate sponsors. The Fund provides humanitarian assistance and solidarity to journalists and media professionals everywhere, whether or not they are members of IFJ unions. Until further notice, all donations to the Fund will be used for relieving journalists in Gaza, unless donors specify otherwise.
Working through affiliates, the IFJ is the only international body that provides aid through journalists’ own organisations.
- Read the IFJ blog post 'Generosity from journalists' unions is required to keep cameras rolling in Gaza'
- For more information, visit our page on the war in Gaza.