I am writing to share with you the news that +972 Magazine has been awarded an honorary title by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) for their “Difference Day,” marking World Press Freedom Day on May 3. The award is a tribute to our continuous drive to inform people truthfully, in very dangerous circumstances, of events in Israel-Palestine, especially since October 7 and the start of the war on Gaza.

Ghousoon Bisharat receiving the honorary title from Prof. Jan Danckaert, rector of VUB, Brussels, May 2, 2024. (Thierry Geenen)

We, the entire team at +972, are humbled and grateful for the recognition of our work during these terrible times. I was proud to represent our exceptional team in Brussels to receive the award on May 2. This is particularly meaningful as in Israel-Palestine, and the Gaza Strip in particular, too many journalists are being silenced, intimidated, and killed.

We pay a deep tribute to the 134 Palestinian journalists and media workerswho have been killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli Army during this century’s deadliest war. We also pay tribute to the four Israeli journalists killed on October 7. We should, at the same time, honor the journalists still on the ground in Gaza, who remain committed to telling the stories of their people and exposing the war crimes committed by the Israeli army, despite the risks and dangers.

On behalf of the +972 team, I dedicated the honorary title we received yesterday to all Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

As the Editor-in-Chief of +972 Magazine, a collective of Palestinian and Israeli journalists, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that comes with our platform. In my first letter to you, our readers, in September last year, less than a month after I stepped into the role, I shared with you my insights about the gravity of the situation in Israel-Palestine. But I also shared with you my belief that amid these challenges lies a tremendous potential to mobilize around +972’s core values. That was before October 7. That belief is even stronger today.

We are heartened by the support we are receiving from around the world amid these dangerous times in Israel-Palestine. I want to extend a personal thank you to our readers and our members, who enable us to continue our work. May we be able to celebrate in better times, kindling the hope for justice for all who live between the river and the sea.

Thank you.

Ghousoon Bisharat