Palestinian photographer Louay Ayoub wins prestigious award in France

Palestinian photographer Louay Ayoub has won the prestigious Visa Pour l’Image Festival Award for his video report “The Gaza Tragedy”. The festival, the largest international event dedicated to photojournalism, began its 36th edition last weekend in Perpignan, France.

The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate congratulated Ayoub, calling his win a tribute to all journalists who have risked their lives tirelessly to bring the truth to the world about what is happening in Gaza. The syndicate emphasised that Ayoub’s recognition in this way reflects his deep commitment and professionalism in documenting the suffering of the Palestinian people amid ongoing Israeli aggression, which has already killed more than 41,000 in Gaza and wounded 95,000 others, most of them women and children.

Ayoub’s report was selected as the top entry by an international panel of photo editors. He delivered his acceptance speech via video link and dedicated his award to “all journalists and Palestinians who have lost their lives while doing their jobs in Gaza.”

He added that, “It is absolutely essential for international journalists to go to Gaza, firstly to document the war, but also because I think it would protect us a bit more from the [Israeli] army.”

His mention of Hamas as “the resistance movement of Palestine” led to Louis Aliot, Perpignan’s far-right mayor, to call for the award to be revoked, reported Anadolu. 

However, the festival’s organisers stood by the decision of the judges. Festival director Jean-Francois Leroy defended the jury’s choice in an interview with Spain’s EFE news agency.

“Never have we had such hostile reactions except over the Israel-Hamas war,” said Leroy. “Our jury is made up of international photo editors and experts. Whether or not I personally agree, I have always respected their decisions.”

He pointed out the difficulties faced by foreign journalists in Gaza, with Israeli restrictions making local reporters the primary source of information from the enclave.

Since 7 October last year, Israel has killed at least 170 journalists in Gaza, including professionals of various nationalities, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Notable casualties include Anadolu photojournalist Ali Jadallah, whose family was killed in an Israeli attack on his home, and freelance cameraman Muntasir Al-Sawaf, who was killed in an Israeli air strike.

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