Two journalists, Palestinian Malam Salem and Jordanian Farrah Malaka, have been fired from German media networks. Deutsche Welle, The anti-Semitic allegations made by the victim are dubious and unfounded.
Salem and Maraqa slammed after sharing details of dismissal on social media Deutsche Welle The decision comes a month after Germany’s national international broadcaster announced the suspension of four employees and contractors, including Malaka and Salem, in an investigation into allegations that they had expressed anti-Semitic views. has started. Israeli occupation of Palestine.
In a statement in late November, Deutsche Welle The investigation, it said, “will examine comments by DW employees cited in the article, published in other media outlets and on their personal social media profiles.”
comment Commenting on her dismissal, Malaka said: Deutsche Welle It takes effect immediately. We have not yet been told why, nor have we been given a report on which to base these allegations!”
In a Facebook post, Salem said she was a “scapegoat” and that the decision to expel her was an “arbitrary step” based on “dishonest rumors.”
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Salem explained that German journalists had released a report accusing her and other colleagues of being anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. The allegations were based on comments published on Facebook.
In Salem’s case, the Palestinian journalist said the posts that sparked the anti-Semitic allegations contained no references to Jews or Israel. There was no explicit or implied mention of Israel,” Salem said, noting that her post only referred to threats to free expression in Europe.
“How is it possible for an international media company that allegedly advocates for freedom to expel an employee who criticizes free expression in Europe?” Salem asked.
Questioning the neutrality of the investigation process, Salem said it was not “objective because the Israelis were hired by an outside commission of inquiry”. I claim.
Salem further claimed that German publications had shut down Palestinian voices and their experiences.Deutsche Welle We consider ourselves the only party to set the standard for ‘truth about the conflict,'” Salem said, adding, ‘Mere identity as a Palestinian is enough to be accused of anti-Semitism.’ claimed.
The activist group issued a joint statement supporting Malaka and Salem. “We, the undersigned journalists and human rights activists, Deutsche Welle Justice for the Arab journalists working there, including a Jordanian journalist (Farah Maraqa) who was suspended in December 2021,” the statement said.
“Malaka’s shedding light on the suffering of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza and on the violations of their human rights by Israel’s practices and policies as an occupying force in accordance with international law cannot be distorted or contextualized. It cannot be separated from or considered as “anti-Semitism,” the statement continued.
The statement called on media platforms not to weaponize anti-Semitic claims to silence journalists, media professionals and human rights defenders.
