Motaz Azaiza, Acclaimed Journalist from Gaza, on Photographing War & Making “Art from the Pain”

[@newmoonjlp]

Every time I see Motaz speak before an audience or do an interview I feel the depth of his grief and how torn he feels about leaving Gaza. I worry that survivor guilt is tearing him apart. I hope that he can go home some day to help his people build the future they deserve. Stay strong, young man! You are doing good work.

[@daemon4621]

That’s my hope as well… but I don’t know. Gaza.. doesn’t seem like it can even be ‘rebuilt’ at this point.

[@newmoonjlp]

@@daemon4621 I read recently that, even if all the aggression stopped today and Gaza received all the goods and materials it could ever need immediately, it would take 18 years to clear the wreckage and rebuild their infrastructure to resume anything like a normal life. That's an entire generation missing out on clean food, water, housing, and education. Devastating. That's exactly how people are radicalized.

[@Emma-Maze]

@@daemon4621 The loss is immense and there is incredibly much to grieve, but let me assure you Gaza is *not* just the buildings, Gaza and Palestine are a *people*, an undying story now more than ever and an impervious dream. As long as there is Palestinians alive around the world that know their history and know where they come from, Palestine will never die.

[@supernova7848]

Yes, he looks ill and he has spoken about his mental health struggles coping with the responsibility of having had to become a spokesperson/ activist around the world just to show that his people are actually h umans when he is a simple photographer who is now finding himself in front of the lens . He is being offered opportunities That he never had access to before the wa r ,even if he had wanted to leave g z to show his photo art in a western art gallery, he wouldn’t have been able to , the irony is that photographing the wa r is what Made his work & his name known to the world whereas for years he had been capturing the beauty & resilience of his people living life under occupation

[@johnconnors3962]

I HAVE THE SOLUTION. IF the Palestinians want peace they should all move to Egypt. There problem solved.

[@longshank59]

I've been following Bisan from Gaza since the start of Genocide. God bless all the journalists who've survived thus far

[@joeboudreault4351]

What genocide? You mean the thousands of JEWS killed by Palestinians, right??

[@Random_merkava_enjoyer]

What genocide?

[@lane_actual_]

@@Random_merkava_enjoyer Hasbara bot

[@nourmallette809]

Ameen Ameen 🇵🇸

[@davespanksalot8413]

@@Random_merkava_enjoyerthe one Netanyahu is pushing so he can get away with all the corruption he has done for decades. Most of those deaths are so Bibi can avoid criminal charges. It’s very sad really, and will lead to more unnecessary innocent deaths, Israeli and Arab.

[@AZ-hg6kw]

Absolutely grateful for his talent. I can't imagine the PTSD that he has developed over this time. What an outrageous tragedy.

[@joeboudreault4351]

Journalist killed in Gaza, by Israel? Give us a break from your BS lies! So far, every embedded journalist in Gaza has been the enemy of Israel. Every UN personell, the same. Remember that Gaza is not a separate country, it is part of Israel and nationally, Israel has every legitimate right to enter and impose the rule of law in whatever way is necessary. That is what they are doing right now. Under emergency conditions they have every right to ban any journalist whatsoever, for safety reasons. This journalist dying in Gaza at Israeli hands? Tough titty. He's a propagandist collaborator, nothing else, like the Al Jezeera one... funny how these Muslim monsters (Fakestinians) start a genocide against the Jews and then cry when they are, correctly, suddenly, losing it. Almost all those videos and pictures have been proven to be staged by the Fakestinians. Many dozens of exposes on this lie. It's called Palleywood, Palestinian Hollywood fiction. Fake babies and painted victims. Boo-hoo and wah!wah! Mara Kronenfeld: "...UNWRA assistance provided in Gaza." Indeed. UNWRA participated in the massacres of Oct 7th. Assistance indeed. The UN is pure evil. And the Nobel Peace prize? A totally useless thing. Your photographer is a useful idiot for them. You monsters. How about a few pictures of October 7th victims ... which started all this. We dare you.

[@UltimaTheSeraph]

I don't think he has PTSD...I think he has constant trauma because what he sees is still happening and it hasn't stopped. There is no "post-trauma" for him.

[@AUnityInDiversity]

​@@joeboudreault4351 lol...your people were killed by your own soldiers using Hannibal directive. Wake up! Bibi doesn't give a sh*t about you.

[@lane_actual_]

@@UltimaTheSeraph CPTSD is the term - complex PTSD. (And PTSD is not defined by one-time event: the *disorder* following trauma is the focus)

[@whataworld5506]

@@UltimaTheSeraphthe word trauma is luxury for us, for every Palestinian and our brothers and sisters there going thru daily oppression as a normal day, and genocide and losing their lives and seeing friends and families been killed everyday, I don’t want to say we got used to it, but we got stronger to take the trauma and move turn it into resistance!and try to do something about it, at least. Motaz was bringing the pictures live to us like his peers, this is the way he worked on resistance, and he’s now resisting abroad by bringing the cause everywhere.

[@calhowell6798]

If Henry “evil” Kissinger won a Nobel peace prize while he murdered millions…. That prize isn’t even worthy of a man of Motaz standards, who’s people were betrayed by the world as a whole. Early on in the genocide last year his pictures were everywhere online and I can only imagine the burden he faces daily and the survivors guilt… he truly helped changed the way millions viewed this genocide against the Palestinians

[@johnimhoff6153]

Exceptional human beings deserve recognition. His lifes work qualifies him for the Nobel prize. Truly pure strength, bravery and devotion to his people. An appeal to the goodness of the world. Stop the genocide, and free the oppressed.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

i hope that the Pulitzer Prize Board are watching closely. too many hero journalists have already seen their last day

[@iazap]

Yup if anything Noble prize is just a stamp of approval. They are just an excuse to pacify and give a feel good vibe to people who otherwise are knowingly or unkowingly the very reason for the misery and suffering of people half the world away. There is nothing "noble" about it.

[@joeboudreault4351]

There IS no genicide whatsoever against the Fakestinians. There is always genocide BY the bloody Fakestinians tho. The Palestinian Arab population has increased noticeably over the last century while the Jewish population has decreased. That's not genocide. Jews are the only real genocide victims in history. Palestinians are publicly declared terrorists. Grow up.

[@fan2hd277]

It is worse nothing

[@johnpullen3729]

Respect to all the journalists Speaking truth to power.... ✊✊✊

[@kandita7]

I learned so much about Gaza from Motaz last year. I wish that Palestine would be awarded peace, healing and security.

[@taix371]

Motaz is an extraordinary person and journalist. Viva Palestina!

[@NI-ko5kt]

Motaz you are the champion of humanity and justice in my eyes, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of those horrible things😢

[@Ddaadhd]

Thank u Motaz Azaiza !!!❤ The world has failed your people!! One day there will be justice and solidarity enough to have a free Palestine!!! 🇵🇸

[@ziff1066]

Strong heart Israel!

[@faniarethas2716]

@@ziff1066 Lost soul, ISRAEL!!!!!!!

[@ziff1066]

​@@faniarethas2716⬅️ no soul

[@jimbecarroll5780]

@@ziff1066 israel HAS NO HEART if they do, it's filled with hate to be murdering people and their children.

[@violaineg2877]

Thank you Motaz Aziz! We love you and admire you! Free 🇵🇸

[@houdiniwho]

Motaz please remember that you are needed to tell their story. 🙏🇵🇸🇱🇧💔

[@-solidsnake-]

What a fucking nightmare. People are brutally insane. Pray for peace

[@-solidsnake-]

@@joeboudreault4351 may god have mercy on your soul

[@HellBot-gi5si]

Israel has created a total "Quagmire" for it's self. Those new territories are suck the life right out them.

[@joeboudreault4351]

@-solidsnake- Having received Jesus as savior more than 40 years ago (and loving Israel with all my heart), God indeed had mercy on my soul! How about you, a person who uses 'snake' in his ID?

[@-solidsnake-]

@@joeboudreault4351 come down from your high horse, join your brothers and sisters of men, and kneel before god and pray for peace lest you become a demons thrall. How about that

[@-solidsnake-]

@@joeboudreault4351 you will end up as a demons thrall with that kind of judgement and posturing

[@jimnickola7196]

Thank you, Motaz. Your work is outstanding & so necessary.

[@CC-in1jy]

Motaz, his photography a story that was best told thru his lens and the powerful images of human lives encountering all moments of life. So glad he was nominated for Noble Peace prize. Motaz, I'm so sorry about Gaza and the suffering Palestinians have endured. You are a huge renowned influencer for human rights and an exceptional photographer expert storyteller ❤

[@greetandries99]

What is a prize as if it washes away the guilt? Only good thing is he can use to keep fighting against this total extremist satanical cult and educate people

[@IntanGoyana]

Thank you DN for having Motaz on the show. Free Palestine ❤❤❤

[@AvaLynn.v.A.]

So terrible to see all these people and their everyday lives and now, what happened to them? I'm half-Palestinian, half-German, I have relatives in Gaza myself (they are as save as possible right now). This hits hard. 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@Walter-x1j]

Yes, you are a mischling.

[@AvaLynn.v.A.]

@@Walter-x1j I'm proud of that.

[@Walter-x1j]

@@AvaLynn.v.A. Are you a Christian?

[@Walter-x1j]

@@AvaLynn.v.A. Are you a Christian?

[@Walter-x1j]

@@AvaLynn.v.A. Are you a Christian?

[@oliviva3978]

beloved Motaz. My heart is with the people of Palestine.

[@randywatson1615]

Saw him on hasans stream. Good work showing the atrocities israel has committed and the resilience and humanity of the Palestinian people

[@baileyeddy444]

Thank you Motaz !! ❤

[@LifeinAmerica2022]

You have done enough my friend as a photographer. I personally applaud you and I am so sorry this is happening to Palestine. I stand with Palestine.

[@MagdiNonDuality]

Stand up for Palestinians Stand up for Freedom Stand up for Palestine!

[@greetandries99]

Good to see you again Motaz. Totally agree with you. So many refuse to see and watch. Too heartbreaking. No excuse as if it was done to them they would be screaming. Stay strong. Bisan is still being strong. Like you an incredibly beautiful soul

[@a2zin125]

Even when we see all this on video, and hear about in the news, we are SO removed from the hell this reality is in Gaza. These journalist are absolute heroes of our time!! 🙏

[@mitchellkrouth5083]

Good work on digging deep into the real story.

[@noemiarias9669]

Thank you Motaz for your heroism❤️🙏

[@Anivrap5000]

Real journalised. I pray you are safe and healthy thank you for your service. Thank you for being a human and thank you for your services for humanity

[@TheKnittedRaven]

His eyes hold such sadness and grief... "making art from the pain", this is what artists do. What he has faced is so extreme, yet he understands the importance of sharing the experiences of his people. Such heart and courage.

[@HellBot-gi5si]

Do you know what "broke the British Empire"? It was the attempted colonization of South Africa. They had he "Boar Wars" they destroyed the British Empire. That is what Israel is doing to itself right now.

[@marlbankian]

Excellent ❤️❤️

[@donnavorce8856]

Awesome people and an amazing story. Thank you Amy Goodman .

[@mohammedabilail8255]

Thanks for posting

[@Davidpath9127]

“The Punishment of Gaza ”. Book by Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, May 17 2010. Levy Gideon shows how the brutality at the heart of Israel’s occupation of Palestine has found its most complete expression to date in the collective punishment of Gaza’s residents

[@HellBot-gi5si]

Very true, but the only way that Gaza, the West Bank, and Southern Lebanon function is with massive infusing of outside "Welfare". The don't generate enough taxation or income for people to really live in those areas. Israeli are going run and hide when the bill comes due.

[@ramstrong1961]

The Grayzone w/Liam Cosgrove - "People are sick of the bullsh*t in here"

[@AJ-yu1ip]

I wasn't surprised he was a Grayzone reporter...they're good at calling out bs

[@husna8031]

The photo of an old lady with her cat closing their eyes at the same time is more than outstanding! 😻💝😻💝😻

[@janemarie3666]

Motaz u r a true BLESSING IN THE WORLD THANK U FOR JUST BEING U ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@Davidpath9127]

“Collective Punishment in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip” Book by Carmel Shalev 1990.

[@alanemaltese]

As an American who disagrees strongly with Israel support, I am grateful for you and your bravery and perseverance in bringing the unpalatable truth into the light!! We need more people like you, Motaz!! I pray for your people everyday♡

[@DominieRobinson]

This is heartbreaking . Bless this amazing human being for sharing stories of the survivors, some of them No longer with us ! Prayers for all involved .

[@silvinacarrizo2726]

MoTaz te amamos ✌🏻🇵🇸✌🏻

[@gorannashreen2822]

More than nine words for the algorithm so more people can see this

[@Maria-du9mf]

OMG!! The picture of Jude made me cry!! Motaz!!! Your work is spectacularly powerful!! And...your photos capturing the joy of humanity of the beautiful Palestinian people are gorgeous!!! You deserve a medal for heroism, let alone high honours for your photos!! Brave, beautiful and highly courageous work!! Thank you!!!

[@margaritagarciacasado9771]

Motaiz Azaiza: man of 2024. Humanity will never thank you enough. God bless you.

[@olgakessel4101]

Putin wasalso became the person of the year

[@1stormcat]

Democracy Now! is the best! They make these stories personal. In a country that dehumanizes Palestinians for decades now here we see the passions and lives of a precious people!

[@sarahweaver8879]

Dangit I missed the Houston TX tour date for him.... 😢 that makes me sad. I wish I had known sooner ❤ much love to him

[@Human-wk1hw]

Bless this man! He has seen so much death. Thank the God's for keeping him safe. Free Palestine, we free ourselves.

[@jjjoannides9392]

Beautiful soul thank you for opening our eyes Motaz. Tragic that there’s individuals in power who have no regard for life & are consumed with evil

[@shaikanas4032]

Love you ma'am

[@carolinehanna1035]

God Bless you Motaz🙏

[@humanitarianly]

So much respect to Motaz. My tears flow when I see these photos. God bless the beautiful people of Palestine.

[@xochitl7489]

Amazing work, and wonderful human heart man!

[@saiya25]

He is not a hero, but a human being doing what he can from his heart to help in a situation no one should ever have to do

[@Aronshmuli665]

great coverage thank you very much

[@husna8031]

Motaz's color compositions in his phothography is just amazing!!! 💝👍

[@CaptChaos1964]

The more I see and hear about this slaughter, the more I fail to understand why the west is doing nothing to stop it, this young man is incredible.

[@Lynn-i2w]

Thank you for your work. I hope I see the day when Palestinians can be free and have their land. I hope one day my government can be free of apartheid Israel and all AIPAC recipients in Congress and White House.

[@pennymayphilip9646]

Sending much love & respect from South Africa

[@amandamccormick5009]

Wonderful, sensitive soul. He was pivotal in building a familiar bond between the west and Palestine. Many of us had posted for years in English for Palestine. But we sounded like conspiracy theorists. White and speaking second-hand about a country we couldn't visit. So hadn't visited. The more we knew the angrier we got. Posting unstable emotional rants with photos we'd found detailing Israel's latest atrocities. But Motaz. With his gentle words, in English, amidst the real time footage, cut through all doubt. His raw honesty and sadness was palpable. I didn't even see his professional photos until this year sometime. It was his videos that I shared that finally triggered responses in more people to act.

[@afshanmansoorkhan3789]

Brave journalists of Gaza.

[@TrisRamos]

I hope Motaz can again photograph sunsets, beauty, & art someday. 🙏🏼💔

[@gcmlrd12]

We must find a Leader who respects humanity.

[@ainerush8942]

Such bravery and such beautiful work. Capturing the humanity of everyday palestinians is immensely important. I would love to see motaz catalogue of work come to ireland.❤

[@Annsha]

Free Palastine Stop Genocide

[@bebebabai7793]

❤gaza

[@Olive_999-v6v]

Thank you. Free palestine ❤

[@genevievemariaforde1477]

Wonderful photos Motaz! Thank you! I hope the Palestinian people will be free soon also. I'm sorry things are so dark at the moment. God bless you! I hope your family in Gaza will be safe. Best wishes - and thank you Amy and Nermeen for this interview! Genevieve Forde Aotearoa Planet Earth

[@AJ-yu1ip]

Thank you, Motaz, for you're extremely important work. You shouldn't have to do this. You're a young man and should be traveling and falling in love; not having to document the g-cide of your people. And thank you for the correction; she's a young girl, not a woman. Idk why the media tries to adultify children in Gaza 😔

[@ibrahimissaiaawad2888]

Thank-you so much Amy Goodman for interviewing Motaz, its a privilege to hear you!

[@charshill2978]

Amazing photographer

[@josie6549]

He is a very talented photographer and also young ,and went through too much 😢

[@Troc313]

This man was a 🎯 target by 🇮🇱 especially by US Congress who continues to fund this genocide entirely.

[@kimberleebrackley2793]

I want peace and pray for your people every day. Your people are our people. My deepest thanks for your work to bring light to the truth.

[@PamDigiovanni]

I have followed Miyazaki since the beginning of the genocide! He is just a wonderful human being! I know he is suffering greatly!

[@Kittyququmber]

Exceptionally brave. Exceptional work. 🙏

[@rosaponce2362]

Motaz … an inspirational and brave man….. a Palestinian historian through his lens …. ❤❤

[@karincarl4535]

Motoz, Your Photography is Stunning. Im an Amateur, but Your Photos are So very Beautiful, capturing Truth, Life, and Love. ❤ And So Sad these things happening. Praying that The People of World Can Stop this Insanity.❤

[@Simplification9]

thanks

[@carinagatta]

❤️🕊️🇵🇸☮️💔🕊️🇵🇸☮️❤️thank you democracy now and motaz.

[@aliyashamsi3062]

Thanks for documenting, promoting- organizations should get peace award and you be in the front line. Jizakullah khair Motaz

[@nadya58176]

Merci beaucoup à tout les journalistes pour leurs messages et leurs courages. Béni soit ils aujourd'hui et demain 💯 ☝️ 💯 ☝️ 💯 ☝️. Et tout ceux qui ont risquer leurs vies pour les pauvres personnes qui n ont rien fait ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤.. ..que dieu vous protège et vous garde toujours bien ❤❤❤❤❤.....que c est dure de voir ces images et mon cœur pleure 😢😢😢😢😢ma peine est immense 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢.....

[@jk_ilyu]

beautiful

[@Davidpath9127]

“The Occupation of Water” amnesty international Soon after Israel occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, in June 1967, the Israeli military authorities consolidated complete power over all water resources. The Israeli state-owned water company Mekorot has systematically sunk wells and tapped springs in the occupied West Bank to supply its population, including those living in illegal settlements with water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. While Mekorot sells some water to Palestinian water utilities. In Gaza, some 90-95 per cent of the water supply is contaminated and unfit for human consumption. Israel does not allow water to be transferred from the West Bank to Gaza, and Gaza’s only fresh water resource, the Coastal Aquifer, is insufficient for the needs of the population and is being increasingly depleted by over-extraction and contaminated by sewage and seawater infiltration.

[@joeboudreault4351]

More freaking lies by you.

[@kbasap]

@@joeboudreault4351you are irrelevant.

[@lane_actual_]

Postscript = Iz also “made it illegal” for Palestinian people to collect rainwater

[@HellBot-gi5si]

You have to understand what destroyed the British Empire was the "Boar Wars" of the 19th century in South Africa. The British Empire won those wars, but in end the end they collapsed because it. The British when broke and fell apart in the 20th century.

[@MisplacedAaMe]

Motaz Azaiza ❤ from an Indian heritage but misplaced in time.

[@dyneroad9396]

Eyes of humanity in the middle of horror. Thanks to you.

[@AtikaAriyanti-d7h]

👍God bless you motaz😊🌹

[@shaikanas4032]

Palestine people are Hero's of humanity.

[@Davidpath9127]

“Israeli military again destroys roads and water pipe” Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, 16 June 2021.

[@Annu9977]

All hero ❤🍾🎹🎹🍾⭐️⭐️😊😊

[@fighttheevilrobots3417]

Now, more than ever it is so dangerous to be a Palestinian journalist. Hundreds have been unalived by Itsnotreal. I'm a proud Jewish antizionist woman. I support Palestine.

[@joeboudreault4351]

How can you possibly be anti-zionist and yet a Jewish supporters? Do you know what zionism is? I don't think you do, woman. Your view is contradictory, and a lie.

[@leilaoksanen5142]

Thank You ❤

[@Astro78196]

Thank you that was very good. Appreciate your analysis.

[@mustafatokhi8161]

Thank you to bring this real hero 🙏

[@MarinaDiaz-dp3dx]

Si glad to see MOTAZ he gave me the view of his life, thanks ❤❤❤

[@jmtaylor1984]

God bless you Motaz and God bless everyone impacted by the evil actions of Israel.

[@ArleeStarr]

Would be great if joutube would allow a list of those evil actions as examples of what the zinnyists really are.

[@CircaBEFORE]

There are so many old souls in Occupied Palestine. Free Palestine forever.

[@shampaperiz6507]

We are human and want to survive,🥺🥺🥺

[@olgakessel4101]

Stop terror

[@shampaperiz6507]

@@olgakessel4101 same for Israel stop inflict terrorism on Palestinian people 😡

[@olgakessel4101]

@@shampaperiz6507 how quickly you have become from victim to aggressor

[@imaniinvestigates2020]

I am stunned, heartbroken and grateful all at once. I am heartbroken the genocide has overshadowed the incredible talent he already had prior to being forced into war photography. His images of the daily life of Gaza were as Amy said, striking. So beautiful. I hope despite the atrocious destruction his home has seen, that he can find solace in the fact that his photos from before are a testament and record of the beautiful place that Gaza once was. I can infer so many of those places he photographed are now gone; more morbidly, also some of the people.😔🕊 I am grateful for him capturing Gazan life, and am ashamed I never looked up his prior work. These belong in exhibits, regardless of the work he contributed to during after 7 Oct before leaving; he is a true talent.

[@MagdiNonDuality]

The heart of Palestine and the heart of Palestinians is holy. The people who have lived among Palestinians can attest to their love, generosity, kindness and deep love for freedom. Long live the Palestinian people.

[@Paola-fn3rk]

Beautiful soul Motaz. I will thank him forever for his work. He was our eyes❤

[@rebeccaboudreau7589]

May he stay safe 🙏

[@FaziahAddala-jl1ff]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ BRAVO❤ET MERCI❤

[@ginamurphy7508]

🕊🇵🇸🕊🇵🇸🕊

[@thaynetuason]

I wish you success in becoming a great wedding photographer in the future.

[@cromana5574]

UN chief calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon☮ Joe Biden repeats call for ceasefire in Lebanon as strikes continue 26 September 2024................................................................................................... Dozens of headlines , DOZENS OF COUNTRIES, ALL IGNORED. The world abhors this violence!

[@Keepthepeacesharethelove]

Genocide Joe calls for ceasefire but arms lsrl with weapons worth x billions. What a hypocrit.

[@kayg4416]

If we can help with the woman who may have to have an amputation who do we contact?

[@Saramn2369]

There's many families from there that you can help. They have IG or TikTok accounts and you can donate