A coalition of sixty international press freedom and human rights organizations has issued a strong call to the European Union to take decisive measures against Israel’s escalating attacks on media freedom and the killing of journalists in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Israel.
In a letter addressed to top EU officials Josep Borrell and Valdis Dombrovskis, the organizations urged the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the imposition of targeted sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for these violations.
The letter highlighted the “unprecedented” nature of Israel’s recent actions, citing numerous instances of media suppression, including the targeted killing of journalists, bans on independent media access to Gaza, and the arbitrary detention of journalists.
The organizations emphasized that these violations constitute “widespread and systematic abuses” committed by Israeli authorities and should trigger immediate consequences from the EU.
They outlined eight specific actions taken by Israel that require a strong response, including the use of excessive force against journalists and the dissemination of disinformation.
The letter also drew attention to the significant impact of these violations on peace and security in the region.
By creating an environment conducive to propaganda and misinformation, Israel’s actions undermine efforts to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict.
