Dear Members of the European Neighbourhood Journalism Network,
We are journalists who represent the following media outlets: New TV, al-Akhbar (newspaper), Assafir (newspaper). We wish to thank you for your generous invitation to participate in the closing conference dedicated to media networks, politics, and power.
After taking part in the past in events held by your organization, we were sur...prised to find that this time around, there are journalists representing Israel. We are Lebanese citizens living in a state of war with Israel and we as a people continue to suffer from Israel's crimes. As we convene, Israel is engaged in the killing and dispossession of an entire people, the Palestinians, and continues to occupy Arab land [in violation of international law].
We would have loved to participate in this debate that is partially devoted to the current Arab revolutions that broke out in the face of oppression, injustice, and tyranny- which in essence are also revolutions against occupation. But our moral, political, legal, and professional obligations do not permit us to do so in the presence of those representing the Zionist state.
We hope that our colleagues will understand our position and respect it.
Brussels
Oct, 10, 2011
