Derry welcomes photojournalist Motaz Azaiza for ‘in-conversation’ event for Palestine

Derry will host an in-conversation event between Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza and Derry Girls’ star Jamie Lee O’Donnell to raise funds for the victims of Israel’s war on Gaza.

Organised by the Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the event is set to take place in the Guildhall on Thursday, August 22.

IPSC spokesperson Catherine Hutton believes the event is incredibly important for the struggle Palestinians are still facing in Gaza. 

She said: “Motaz has brought the plight of the Palestinians to people who would have been unaware prior to October 7.

“He was on the frontline recording what was happening in Gaza. It was his and several other works from the very start that exposed what the Israelis were doing. They exposed the displacement, indiscriminate bombing, starvation, and lack of humanitarian aid getting in, showing how the children and the people were suffering.

“We only know what's happening there because of Gazan journalists.

“He left in March this year and has been touring the world to keep people informed of what is happening, so it is not forgotten.

“As of today, there are 169 of them dead; two of them were shot in the past couple of days.”

Israel continues to restrict the access of journalists to Gaza, particularly broadcasters, with Israel’s parliament passing a bill in April allowing it to close Al Jazeera’s office in Israel, block its website and ban local channels from using its coverage.

These actions fill Mrs. Hutton with concern, and she believes media outlets should be pushing for more access to Gaza to report. 

She said: “There has been very little outcry in the media about what is happening to the journalists looking to report what is happening in Gaza—the silencing being done by the Israelis as soldiers target journalists, particularly Palestinian journalists. 

“There should be a push by the media to get in there and report on it, show what is happening and hold the Israelis to account for their actions.”

The event was sold out within hours, but people wishing to welcome and greet the award-winning photojournalist, Derry, can do so when he is presented at Free Derry Corner at 4pm. 

People have been encouraged by the IPSC to come down with flags to provide a ‘Derry welcome’ to Mr. Azaiza.

Mrs. Hutton said: “Motaz will be getting a tour of the Museum of Free Derry on Thursday with the with the Chairman of Derry's Bloody Sunday Trust, Tony Doherty.

“I was speaking to a Palestinian recently at an event, and he spoke about how he feels at home in Derry, and it is because of the people. That spoke a lot to me, and I feel Motaz will see that, as there is no welcome like a Derry welcome.

“We are going to walk from Free Derry Corner to the Guildhall, which was part of the Civil Rights route in 1972 that never happened because of the events of Bloody Sunday and actions taken by the British soldiers.

“I think it will be a very symbolic afternoon, even before the event that night.”

The event is set to start at 7pm with chair Jamie Lee O’Donnell, perceived as the perfect fit for the role, according to Mrs. Hutton. 

She said: “The reason we thought of Jamie-Lee and approached her was because of her support and solidarity.

“She has put herself out there in the line. It takes a lot of guts to put your head above the parapet when you have a public persona and actually stand up for what is right and by your morals. There are plenty of celebrities, entertainers, and personalities who have kept very quiet and are afraid of losing their brand deals and impacting their following.”