Sixty international press freedom and human rights organizations have called on the European Union (EU) to take strong action against Israel following its recent violations of media freedom and the killing of journalists. The groups, including the International Press Institute (IPI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and Free Press Unlimited (FPU), issued a letter demanding that the EU suspend its Association Agreement with Israel and impose targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for these abuses.
Groups Call Out Violations And Abuse In Gaza
The letter, sent to top EU officials Josep Borrell and Valdis Dombrovskis, highlighted what it describes as “unprecedented violations of media freedom” by Israeli authorities. The groups argue that these actions are part of a broader pattern of abuse in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and other areas, as documented by various international and local organizations.
Letter Lists Eight Actions By Israel For Urgent Response
The letter lists eight specific actions by Israel that it believes warrant an urgent response, including the targeted killing of journalists, banning independent media from accessing Gaza, and a significant rise in the arbitrary detention of journalists. Since October 7, 2023, there have been accusations that Israel has killed over 120 Palestinian journalists and media workers in Gaza, and detained at least 49 journalists.
Killing Of Al Jazeera Journalists Call For EU To Act
Recent incidents include the deaths of Al Jazeera journalists Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi in an air attack, and the killing of Hamza Dahdouh, the son of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief. These events and others have led to calls for the EU to act decisively. The organizations also cited reports of torture, forced disappearances, and censorship within Israel and the occupied territories. They argue that these violations undermine the path to peace and security by fostering an environment of misinformation and propaganda.
EU Ministers To Hold Meeting On August 29
Ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on August 29, the groups are pushing for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs bilateral relations, including trade. They argue that Israel’s actions clearly violate Article 2 of this agreement, which mandates respect for human rights and democratic principles. Julie Majerczak of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) emphasized that the EU, as Israel’s main trade partner, must hold Israel accountable for its actions. The joint statement argues that the killing of journalists, whether intentional or not, constitutes a war crime and demands that the EU take appropriate measures to address these grave concerns.