Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza features in Times Magazine's 100 most influential people 2024
Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, known for documenting the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza, has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024 in the ‘Icons’ category.
Time magazine described Motaz as, “The world’s eyes and ears in his native Gaza for 108 days. Armed with a camera and a flak jacket marked ‘PRESS.’”
“The 25-year-old Palestinian photographer spent nearly four months documenting life under Israeli bombardment: families displaced from homes, women mourning loved ones, a man trapped beneath the rubble.”
His images offered a glimpse into Gaza that few in the international press, which has been all but barred from accessing the Strip, could rival. He did so at great risk; at least 95 journalists have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7.
Since his evacuation, Azaiza has been raising awareness of the crisis and calling for international intervention.
“What is happening in Gaza is not content for you,” he was quoted as saying by the magazine. “We are not telling you what is happening … for your likes or views or shares. No, we are waiting for you to act. We need to stop this war.”
“I am really blessed to share my country name with me wherever I go or whatever I achieve,” Motaz wrote on X.
“For those who don’t recognize Palestine as a state, or for those who claim that it is their land. Palestine gonna be free one day from Zionists and occupation. Everyone does his part, and my part is not done yet,” he added.
Palestinian photographer Motaz Azaiza (@azaizamotaz9) is one of the most influential people of 2024 https://t.co/XPSSvLOmQs
— TIME (@TIME) April 17, 2024
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Elon Musk lauds India's speedy vote counting, criticises California's delay
New Delhi: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has commended India's election process for its efficiency in counting 640 million votes in a single day. In a post on X, Musk compared this feat with California's delayed vote-counting process, stating, "India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes."
The comment came in response to an X post featuring an article titled, "How India Counted 640 Million Votes in a Day," accompanied by the caption, "Meanwhile in India, where cheating isn’t the primary goal of their elections."
California, which had 16 million voters participating in its November 5 election, is still processing over 300,000 ballots after 18 days. Reports indicate that around 570,000 ballots remain uncounted statewide, with delays attributed to the labor-intensive validation of mail-in votes.
India counted 640 million votes in 1 day.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
California is still counting votes 🤦♂️ https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6
