Following IFJ General Secretary's mission to Palestine (20-24 November 2023), the President of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) and IFJ Vice President Nasser Abu Baker went to Brussels from 4 to 7 December to press for political change in the face of the unprecedented massacre of Palestinian journalists.
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, at least 68 journalists and media workers have been killed, several have been injured and others are missing.
The IFJ and PJS delegation met with political representatives from the Socialists and Democrats Group,Greens/EFA, The Left in the European Parliament as well as Belgian parliamentarians, to denounce the unprecedented death toll of Palestinian journalists and media workers in Gaza.
IFJ and PJS urged EU political representatives to push for a permanent ceasefire and the end of hostilities in Gaza.
Nasser Abu Baker said: “You can't imagine the working conditions of my colleagues in Gaza. They lack everything –- water, food, shelter –- and sleep with their families on the streets, in schools and hospitals. It's time for you to act. Journalists must never ever be targeted, they must be protected and we ask you to put pressure on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the killing of journalists and prosecute the perpetrators.”
Anthony Bellanger added: “The public has the right to know. Since 13 October and our call to Unesco, we have insisted on the need that the Israeli government allows foreign media to enter the Gaza Strip. It is crucial that not only local but also foreign journalists bear witness and cover the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Europe must play its part in international discussions and must demand that the Israeli government stop this massacre immediately."
All the political groups met this week and promised to continue working with the IFJ and PJS and to take concrete action in the coming weeks.