Media Groups Call on EU to Sanction Israel Over Journalists' Deaths in Gaza

Post by : Omar Nasser

Photo : AFP

In Paris, around 60 media and human rights organizations have called on the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel and impose sanctions. This demand comes in response to what they describe as the "massacring of journalists" in Gaza. 

The joint statement, issued on Monday, is a plea from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 59 other organizations, highlighting the unprecedented number of journalists killed and the repeated violations of press freedom by Israeli authorities since the conflict with Hamas began. The groups are urging the EU to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel and impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for these violations.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

This call for action precedes a key meeting of EU foreign ministers scheduled in Brussels on August 29. The organizations argue that the period following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza has been the deadliest for journalists in decades. The statement notes that more than 130 Palestinian journalists and media professionals have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7. Additionally, the casualties include three Lebanese journalists and one Israeli journalist.

The statement underscores that the deliberate or reckless killing of journalists constitutes a war crime. Julie Majerczak, head of RSF's Brussels office, pointed out that the EU's Association Agreement with non-member countries includes provisions on respecting human rights and democratic principles. Article 2 of the agreement mandates adherence to these principles. Majerczak criticized the Israeli government for violating this article and urged the EU, as Israel's leading trade partner, to hold the Israeli government accountable. She called for measures to halt the killing of journalists and ensure media access to Gaza.

Among the prominent signatories of the statement are the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Human Rights Watch (HRW). The EU’s association agreements are treaties that cover various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and human rights obligations.

#trending #latest #EU #Israel #Sanctions #Journalism #PressFreedom #Gaza #HumanRights #RSF #CPJ #HRW #MediaRights #WarCrimes #AssociationAgreement #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai