Organizations urge the EU to break its agreement with Israel due to violations against journalists.

In a context marked by increasing concern for press freedom and human rights, a group of sixty journalist and human rights organizations has requested that the European Union terminate its association agreement with Israel. This demand arises in response to the alarming figure of over one hundred journalists killed in the context of the conflict in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for concrete measures to ensure the protection of information professionals in the region. The letter addressed to the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, serves as a powerful call to action. Signed by entities such as the Federation of Journalist Unions (FeSP), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders, among others, the document denounces the "unprecedented killings" of journalists and other serious violations of media freedom by Israeli authorities. The signatories argue that the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel, in effect since 2000, should be suspended due to the multiple human rights violations and breaches of international criminal law that have been committed. In their letter, they demand accountability and punishment for those officials responsible for war crimes and the repeated violations of international law that have been perpetrated in Gaza and other territories. The letter also highlights a pattern of "widespread and systematic abuses" committed by Israeli authorities, expressing deep concern over measures that have restricted media freedom. These restrictions have culminated in a regime of censorship that severely compromises journalistic work in the region, limiting access to information and putting at risk the lives of those attempting to exercise their right to report. In this regard, the organizations urge the EU to lift the blockade preventing the entry of international, Israeli, and Palestinian journalists into Gaza. This action is considered essential to allow for independent and objective coverage of the situation in the region, where the lack of accurate information can have devastating consequences for public opinion and accountability. Additionally, they request the revocation of legislation that allows for the closure of foreign media outlets and the release of Palestinian journalists who are under administrative detention or imprisoned without formal charges. These measures are seen as crucial steps toward protecting the lives and rights of information professionals, who often find themselves in the line of fire in conflicts like that in Gaza. The signing organizations have also sent their letter to the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovsky, and to the foreign ministries of all EU member states, hoping that these concerns will be taken into account in future European policies toward Israel. This call to action comes at a time when the international community faces a moral dilemma regarding how to address human rights violations in armed conflicts. The question is raised whether it is possible to maintain diplomatic and trade relations with a state that, according to the complainants, is perpetrating war crimes and attacking those who dare to report on the reality of the conflict. The EU's response to this request will be closely monitored, not only by the signing organizations but also by the international community. Pressure on European leaders to take a firm stance in defense of press freedom and human rights is mounting, and the future of the agreement with Israel may depend on the actions decided upon in the coming days. In conclusion, the demand from these organizations to break the association agreement with Israel reflects a global landscape in which the defense of human rights and press freedom has become an urgent priority. The situation in Gaza and the increasing violence against journalists require a decisive response from the international community, and the EU is in a key position to lead this defense.