ISTANBUL
French journalist, author and activist Kenize Mourad delivered an address on media censorship and the Palestinian struggle when she was hosted Thursday by the Türkiye Maarif Foundation at its headquarters in Istanbul as part of the “Maarif Talks” series.
The attendance included Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Ozdil, members of the board of trustees and executive board, as well as the staff.
French journalist, author and activist Kenize Mourad
Mourad shared insights from her decades of reporting and her book Our Sacred Land, which is based on first-hand testimonies from Palestinians.
She criticized what she called an invisible censorship in Europe, particularly media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She argued that Western governments and media have abandoned their commitments to human rights and freedom of expression when it comes to Palestine.
Mourad also reflected on the Oct. 7 attacks, saying they cannot be understood separately and must be placed within the broader context of a decades-long occupation and systemic oppression.
French journalist, author and activist Kenize Mourad
Mourad emphasized the role of personal testimony in countering dominant narratives throughout her talk, and highlighted the daily struggles faced by Palestinians, including movement restrictions, settler violence and institutional discrimination.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which Mourad discussed prospects for a cease-fire, the role of Muslim-majority countries and the importance of education in building long-term peace.
