Award rescinded following Washington Free Beacon investigation alleging antisemitism and support for Hamas on social media

Location: United States
Date: June 19, 2024

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has decided to revoke the 2024 Courage in Journalism Award from freelance Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini. Initially recognized for her reporting from Gaza amidst conflict with Israeli forces, Hussaini faced scrutiny following an investigation by the right-wing US media outlet, the Washington Free Beacon. The investigation alleged that Hussaini's social media posts contained antisemitic sentiments and expressed admiration for Hamas. In response to these findings, the IWMF determined that Hussaini's social media content contradicted their organizational values and withdrew her award.

Read latest reports from the globe

On June 19, 2024, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) announced it had revoked the 2024 Courage in Journalism Award granted to Palestinian journalist Maha Hussaini.

In a statement published on its website, the organization that supports women and non-binary journalists worldwide stated, “Within the last 24 hours, the IWMF learned of comments made by Maha Hussaini in past years that contradict the values of our organization.” Taking these revelations into consideration, the association rescinded Hussaini’s award. “Both the Courage Awards and the IWMF’s mission are based on integrity and opposition to intolerance. We do not, and will not, condone or support views or statements that do not adhere to those principles,” said the statement.

On June 10, 2024, the IWMF initially honored Hussaini alongside two other journalists for their exceptional bravery in journalism. Her recognized work included stories on the challenges faced by women giving birth in Gaza and the struggles of children amid conflict.

Hussaini has contributed to numerous international publications, including the New Humanitarian, and received the 2020 Martin Adler Prize from the Rory Peck Trust.

Controversy over her IWMF award arose following a report from right-wing media outlet the Washington Free Beacon in the US, labeling Hussaini as a "Hamas sympathizer" and "anti-Semite." The article pointed to past social media posts where she discussed her experiences under Israeli occupation and allegedly expressed support for Hamas.

In a statement on X, Hussaini lamented the organization's decision to rescind her award as a betrayal of courage. "Winning a prize for ‘courage’ means being subjected to attacks and choosing to continue your work regardless," she wrote.

Among the offending social media posts noted by the Free Beacon in its report on Hussaini included a cartoon the journalist shared on X that showed a soldier with a Jewish star on his helmet hiding behind a photo of Holocaust victims while slaughtering a group of Arab people with an ax.

Hussaini shared the cartoon with a caption highlighting the “ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, mass killings or apartheid” of the Palestinian people since 1948.

The Free Beacon report states that this cartoon was submitted to Iran's International Holocaust Cartoon Contest, where participants create images that mock or diminish the Holocaust and depict Jews in a derogatory manner.

The outlet also claims Hussaini has repeatedly defended Hamas – a designated terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union. Evidence of this that is cited includes a caption on a 2018 tweet that stated, "You’re not supposed to be a Hamas supporter to defy a UN resolution condemning it. Whether we like it or not, Hamas constitutes [sic] a large part of the Palestinian society. Condemning it doesn’t only mean opposing a political party but criminalizing people’s choice to resist oppression.

Another tweet mentioned is Hussaini’s post in response to a Palestinian terrorist attack that killed two Israeli border officers at the Temple Mount in 2017. "The resistance in the West Bank is entering a new phase. Thanks to #اشتباك_الأقصى [the 'Al-Aqsa clash'] and glory to the martyrs," she wrote.

Hussaini defended her posts on X, stating, "I have no regrets about any posts or reasons that led to the rescinding of this award, and I will not stop expressing my views. Before being a journalist, I am a Palestinian living under military occupation, a strangling blockade, and genocide in Gaza.”

Hussaini ended her statement on IWMF’s decision stating, “If winning a prize entails enduring and witnessing war crimes while remaining silent, I am not honored to receive any prizes. I will always be objective in my reporting, but I can never be neutral; I will always point out the perpetrators and stand in solidarity with the victims. This is what journalism is truly about.”

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.