Journalists demand EU suspension of Israel deal due to press freedom violations

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), together with 38 European journalists’ unions and over 20 non-governmental organisations campaigning for press freedom, have called on the European Union to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to impose sanctions on those responsible for what they believe to be Israel’s war crimes and repeated violations of international law.

This appeal was formalised in a letter addressed to the EU’s top diplomats Josep Borrell and Valdis Dombrovskis. It was initiated by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and co-signed by various organisations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The letter outlines several key concerns, including the unprecedented killing of over 100 Palestinian journalists and media workers, as well as Israeli and Lebanese journalists, making this the deadliest period for journalists in the region in decades.

It also highlights targeted killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and allegations of torture and ill-treatment of journalists by the Israeli authorities since the conflict escalated in October 2023. In addition, the letter criticizes the severe restrictions on media access to Gaza, noting that these measures have created a significant information vacuum and hampered independent reporting on the conflict.

The letter calls on the EU to take immediate action, including suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and targeting those responsible. The EU should also urge Israel to allow unrestricted media access to Gaza, repeal laws that allow state censorship of foreign media, and ensure accountability for abuses against journalists.