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World News

Shani Louk’s father defends award-winning photo of Hamas terrorists parading his daughter’s body

By
Nicholas McEntyre
Published March 31, 2024, 1:28 a.m. ET

The father of the slain Israeli hostage whom Hamas terrorists paraded around through the streets of Gaza defended the decision to award the photographer who captured the grim moment, calling it “one of the most important photos in the last 50 years.”

An uncensored Associated Press photo of Shani Louk’s nearly naked, lifeless body lying in the bed of a white pickup truck surrounded by several armed terrorists was part of a collection of photos that secured the outlet first place in one of the Pictures of the Year International award categories.

Louk, a 23-year-old German-Israeli tattoo artist, was among many festival goers to be abducted by Hamas terrorists during the group’s surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Louk’s father Nissim claimed the picture of his slain daughter marked an era in history following backlash to AP and the Missouri School of Journalism, which hosts the yearly contest.

“It’s good that the photo won the prize, this is one of the most important photos in the last 50 years,” Nissim Louk told Israeli news outlet Ynet. “These are some of the photos that shape human memory, the Jew raising his hands, the paratroopers at the Western Wall, photos that symbolize an era.”

The Associated Press image of Shani Louk's lifeless body in the back of a Hamas terrorist truck was awarded first place by the the Pictures of the Year POY organization.
The Associated Press image of Shani Louk’s lifeless body in the back of a Hamas terrorist truck was awarded first place by the Pictures of the Year POY organization. POY

The elder Louk also referenced Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old Israeli student who was abducted while at the trance music festival near the border to the Gaza Strip during the initial attack by the terror group.

“This documentation of Shani, and of Noa Argamani on the motorcycle, they symbolize this era. I think it’s a good thing to use it to inform the future,” he added.

Argamani was captured on video screaming for her life as she was driven away on a motorcycle.

Nissim Louk said it was "good that the photo won the prize" defending the picture as it is one of the most important photos of the last half century.
Nissim Louk said it was “good that the photo won the prize” defending the picture as it is one of the most important photos of the last half century. N12
AP and freelance photographer Ali Mahmud was awarded the top prize for “Team Picture Story of the Year” during the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism contest.
AP and freelance photographer Ali Mahmud was awarded the top prize for “Team Picture Story of the Year” during the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism contest. AP

The grieving father said the sickening image of his daughter helped document what happened in Israel.

“If I start crying, what will come of it? This is history. In 100 years they will look and know what happened here. I travel the world and everyone knows who Shani is.”

AP and freelance photographer Ali Mahmud was awarded the top prize for “Team Picture Story of the Year” during the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism contest.

Louk, a 23-year-old German-Israeli tattoo artist, was among many festival goers to be abducted by Hamas terrorists during the group's surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Louk, a 23-year-old German-Israeli tattoo artist, was among many festival goers to be abducted by Hamas terrorists during the group’s surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Facebook/Bar Avieli
Shani Louk's parents, Nissim and Ricarda Louk, sit at their home in Srigim-Li On, Israel on October 31, 2023.
Shani Louk’s parents, Nissim and Ricarda Louk, sit at their home in Srigim-Li On, Israel on October 31, 2023. REUTERS

The AP’s win prompted widespread backlash as social media users slammed the accolade and the use of Louk’s image as an “outrageous desecration of Jewish life.”

“I am DISGUSTED, SHOCKED and ENRAGED that this @AP image of a murdered Shani Louk from October 7th was given picture of the year,” one social media user posted on X. “This is the value of Israeli women to you?”

Shani Louk along with Argamani and many others quickly became the faces of the horror that came out of the Hamas hostage crisis.

Louk was confirmed dead when her decapitated head was found several weeks after her abduction, despite earlier reports of her surviving the initial attack.

Her mother believes she was killed the same day of the attack, possibly by a gunshot to the head.

Louk was identified after DNA on a skull fragment linked back to her.

In November, the Israeli Defense Force killed one of the terrorists who allegedly paraded around and spit on Louk's body.
In November, the Israeli Defense Force killed one of the terrorists who allegedly paraded around and spit on Louk’s body. AP
Louk was confirmed dead when her decapitated head was found several weeks after her abduction, despite earlier reports of her surviving the initial attack.
Louk was confirmed dead when her decapitated head was found several weeks after her abduction, despite earlier reports of her surviving the initial attack. Getty Images

In November, the Israeli Defense Force killed one of the terrorists who allegedly paraded around and spit on Louk’s body.

“In her public conversation with me that the Hamas terrorist monster who parades her naked body around Gaza, defiling her in the name of Islam, and screaming Allahu Akbar, was killed by the IDF,” Rabbi Shmuley Boteach who spoke with Louk’s mother Ricarda wrote on X.