ISTANBUL

Leyla al-Arian, a US-based producer known for her documentary highlighting the struggle of Palestinians, criticized the international community's failure to stop Israeli brutalities in Gaza. 

Arian, the executive producer of the Night Won't End - Biden's War on Gaza, shared her thoughts with Anadolu, expressing hope that the documentary would contribute to the pressure on Israel to cease its attacks on Gaza.

The US, as a superpower that arms and provides critical support to Israel, has significant influence over the country, Arian stated. She said in the Aug. 10 Israeli airstrike on Et-Tabiin School in al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, which left over 100 Palestinians dead, Israel used American-made bombs.

Arian argued that the US government could apply pressure on Israel to curb its military actions but it chooses not to, and that the ongoing weapon transfers facilitate the killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

Arian also noted that the US recently approved the sale of weapons and ammunition worth over $20 billion to Israel, amid its continued attacks on Gaza.

She emphasized the US direct involvement in the region, including the deployment of warships, asserting that any international coverage of the Middle East must include an analysis of the US role.   

Routine massacres, use of US weapons

Arian highlighted the frequency with which US-supplied weapons are used in Israeli attacks, noting it is impossible to cover them all in a documentary. She explained the documentary focuses on specific incidents such as Dec.11 airstrike that killed over 100 people and the killing of six-year-old Gazan girl who pleaded for her life in vain.

She underlined the documentary team received technical support from organizations such as Airwars, Forensic Architecture, and Earshot, using forensic science methods to analyze the cases they covered. Arian noted that they found no evidence of combatants in the building targeted on Dec. 11, describing the attack as typical of Israel’s military operations.

Describing the harsh conditions faced by journalists in Gaza, she said, due to the blockade, Gaza suffers from severe shortages of water, food, fuel, and communication, making it extremely challenging for local journalists to report. Arian said journalists cannot simply call a source; they often have to reach them in person, which can mean traveling long distances on foot or by donkeys.

Arian added journalists work under extreme emotional strain. She emphasized many journalists they have worked with have lost family members, such as a cameraman they worked with who witnessed his five-year-old daughter being shot dead by an Israeli sniper.

Despite these challenges, Arian praised the resilience and professionalism of the Gazan journalists, who continue to work under extraordinary circumstances. She emphasized that the documentary adhered strictly to journalistic ethics, using only forensically documented and verified materials.

Arian concluded by reiterating her hope that the documentary would contribute to the pressure on Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza. Noting Israel acts without rules or restrictions, she said the international community has failed to restrain Israel and stop its "reign of terror."  

*Writing by Yasin Gungor​​​​​​​