The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) expresses serious concerns over the closure of Al Jazeera Media Network’s local offices by the government of Israel. We stand in solidarity with Al Jazeera and other media workers covering the Israel-Gaza war, and condemn the senseless deaths of journalists reporting on the frontlines.

The Foreign Press Association of Israel described the closure of Al Jazeera as a “dark day for democracy.” We echo our colleagues’ sentiments and their urge for Israel to reverse its decision.

Al Jazeera’s Manila-based journalists are members of FOCAP. An attack on press freedom on one side of the world has a chilling effect everywhere.

Around a hundred journalists have died or gone missing while covering the conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The closure is another form of death for the free press. Al Jazeera has been at the forefront of unflinching reporting, providing a platform for marginalized voices in Gaza and other Palestinian territories. The shutdown leaves a void in global news coverage of the conflict. In a time of war, such a news blackout is a matter of life and death.

FOCAP has relentlessly stood for press freedom since its founding in 1974, under the dark days of dictatorship.