Photojournalist Motaz Azaiza thanks Derry welcome but 'more must be done for injustice' in Gaza

Renowned photojournalist Motaz Azaiza was welcomed by the people of Derry at an event in the Guildhall this week, where he urged attendees to continue to ‘strive for justice’ in Palestine. 

Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and Derry City and Strabane District Council organised the event, which featured an ‘in conversation’ discussion with the award-winning photojournalist, chaired by Derry Girls star Jamie Lee O’Donnell. 

Mr Azaiza reminisced about the simple pleasure of wanting to get home from work and enjoy the cool breeze off his air conditioner as he shared his experiences of living in Gaza before and subsequently after the events of October 7.

He said: “Young people from Gaza, like others in the world, looked to live out a life.

“There was a life before; it was a struggle, but it was a struggle.

“Before this (Oct. 7), I just captured Gazan life and its beauty: people living their lives going to the beach.

“When I captured the lives of Gazans, nobody cared. When I’m capturing war, everybody calls me for work.”

The filmmaker is a prominent figure in raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in the region and has utilised social media to share first-hand accounts of the struggles faced by the people of Gaza.

He has highlighted the impact of the ongoing crisis due to the current conflict in Gaza, bringing international attention through an Instagram following of almost 18 million accounts.

At the event on Thursday, he showcased his work capturing Gaza before and after October 7. 

The 25-year-old spoke about the countless number of relatives, friends, and colleagues he has lost to the conflict, with recent reports stating that more than 40,000 people have been killed to date. 

Mr. Azaiza was overwhelmed by the support of Derry but still urged for more to be done. 

He said: “Derry has been amazing; there have been a lot of amazing people, and we need to gather so we can do something, as together we can do something.

“Thanks for what you are doing, but unfortunately, we need to do more.

“The thing I’m doing now is meeting people, talking about my experience, and raising awareness so we can do something.

“You can continue to boycott, keep talking, and protest. Just whatever you have the power to do, you can do.”

The humanitarian worker has strived to share the news of what continues to happen in the region since the beginning of the conflict, along with other Palestinian journalists. 

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A post shared by Motaz Azaiza مُعْتَز عَزَايْزَة ⚡️ (@motaz_azaiza)

However, Mr. Azaiza recognised his fortune as he still has his life, unlike 160 colleagues who have lost their lives covering the conflict, remembered at the event in the Guildhall as each of their names were read out on stage.

Mr. Azaiza and Ms. O’Donnell were introduced to the stage by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Councillor Lillian Seenoi-Barr. 

She said: “We welcome Motaz; we shared in resilience between Derry and Gaza. 

“As we continue to strive for justice, peace, and freedom,”

Cllr Seenoi-Barr looked to the Guildhall as a symbol of hope and freedom, stating the importance of the world and not look away as the struggle prolongs. 

In a symbolic event organised by the chair of the IPSC, Catherine Hutton, Mr. Azaiza marched from Free Derry Corner to the Guildhall earlier in the day, an act denied to the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association on January 30, 1972.

A large crowd gathered to welcome the award-winning journalist to Derry and demonstrate their solidarity with his cause. 

One of the crowd members, Oran Martin, said: “It is important to see and hear someone who has had first-hand experience of being there, particularly from the media aspect.

“In order to get the news out, we need people like him with a drive to let the world know what is going on.”

Najat Ahmadi added: “I wanted to show him that people do care and that he is not alone.”