Organizations demand that the EU sever ties with Israel due to the killings of journalists.

In an unprecedented move, sixty organizations of journalists and human rights advocates have issued a strong call to European leaders to reconsider their relationship with Israel, following the murder of more than a hundred journalists in the context of the recent conflicts in Gaza. The Federation of Journalists' Unions (FeSP) has led this initiative by sending a letter to Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, demanding sanctions and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in effect since 2000. The letter, signed by prominent unions and organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Human Rights Watch, among others, underscores the seriousness of the human rights violations and international law breaches allegedly committed by Israeli authorities. In a context marked by escalating violence and a lack of access to information, the signatories have denounced "widespread and systematic abuses" perpetrated in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. The document also emphasizes the urgent need to hold accountable those responsible, not only for the murders of journalists but also for actions classified as war crimes. The signatories demand that Israeli authorities face consequences for their actions while calling for greater protection for information professionals operating in conflict territories. The letter has also been sent to the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovsky, as well as to the foreign ministries of all EU member states, highlighting the need for a unified and robust response from Europe. The organizations argue that the current agreement between the EU and Israel cannot stand while human rights violations continue unchecked. One of the critical points raised in the letter is the call to lift the blockade that prevents both international and local journalists from accessing Gaza. As mentioned, this blockade not only limits coverage of events in the region but also establishes a regime of censorship that silences necessary voices for objective and truthful information. Additionally, the organizations demanded the revocation of laws that allow the closure of foreign media outlets and the immediate release of Palestinian journalists who are in administrative detention or held without charges. They argue that this state of repression is unacceptable in a democracy and contravenes the principles of press freedom. As the international community watches, the outcry of these sixty organizations resonates at a time of increasing tension and conflict in the region. Pressure on the EU is mounting, urging European institutions to act decisively in defense of press freedom and human rights. This call to action comes amid reports that the situation in Gaza has drastically worsened. The lack of reliable information and the imposed censorship have further complicated the understanding of what is truly happening on the ground. The signatories of the letter, in a show of solidarity, urge European citizens to raise their voices and demand that their governments take concrete actions. In their view, allowing Israel to continue its current practices without consequences would be a failure of the international community and a significant setback for the fundamental rights that should be protected in any democracy. This call to break the association agreement with Israel marks a new chapter in the relations between the EU and the Hebrew State, at a time when respect for human rights and press freedom is more crucial than ever in the global political narrative. With growing pressure on the EU, uncertainty about the future of these relations intensifies, as journalists and human rights defenders hope for bold decisions to be made in defense of truth and justice.