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Vigils held across city against Israel’s ‘deliberate’ killing of journalists in Gaza
Two independent vigils were held on Friday to protest against the hundreds of journalists killed while reporting on the conflict from Gaza.
Around 30 protesters joined Palestine Solidarity Campaign outside the BBC Studios in Bridgewater House, calling out the broadcaster’s compliance in “enabling Israel’s crimes”.
A short walk from the BBC’s city centre office, members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) gathered near the Cascade Steps, for a separate vigil in memory of the journalists killed in Gaza.
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Outside the BBC Studios, protesters formed a picket line holding photographs of the killed journalists. A placard calling out the broadcaster’s reporting said: “Every time the BBC lies, a child in Gaza dies.”
A day before the protest, Palestine Solidarity Campaign shared on their Instagram: “This week, Israeli forces killed Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues in Gaza while they were reporting from a media tent outside al-Shifa Hospital.
“They are among 238 journalists and media workers killed since the war began — the deadliest period for journalists in decades.
“The BBC has been complicit in enabling Israel’s crimes — amplifying its narratives, downplaying atrocities, and failing to hold power to account. We will not be silent while our national broadcaster helps shield war crimes from scrutiny.”
Bristol24/7 has contacted BBC Bristol for a comment.
The pro-Palestine organisation also called the killing of journalists an “ attack on press freedom and a blatant violation of international law”.
Journalists, councillors and locals joined a NUJ-led vigil outside Cascade Steps
Near Cascade Steps, members of the NUJ read out the names of each journalist who is verified to have been killed in Gaza since October 7 2023. NUJ members argued that these journalists from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and even Israel were all only doing their job.
Addressing the audience, a spokesperson said: “At the weekend, Israel deliberately killed another six journalists. This is happening whilst Israel refuses to allow international media into Gaza.
“The killed included five Al Jazeera journalists assassinated outside a hospital in Gaza. This has rightly prompted global outrage, condemnation by global leaders and outpourings of grief.”
The speaker also said that Israel had accused journalist Anas al-Sharif of being a terrorist and using this as an “excuse to kill him”.
According to the International Federation of Journalists, between October 2023 to August 2025, at least 226 journalists had been killed. While these are the only verified numbers, many argue that the actual higher may be higher.
All photos: Karen Johnson
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