site.btaJournalists Urge Bulgarian Government to “Stop Hiding behind Neutral Wording” about “Genocide in Gaza”

The Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria (AEJ-Bulgaria), in coordination with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, issued a declaration on Sunday urging the Bulgarian government and the EU to support a cancellation of the EU–Israel Association Agreement amid what the Association called the “genocide in Gaza” and to back the admittance of foreign journalists into Gaza and an international investigation into “the systematic use of starvation as a war crime”.

AEJ-Bulgaria is a member of the European Federation of Journalists, which represents 300,000 members of the profession in Europe. The declaration is addressed to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry and the European Commission.

It says: “We are witnessing the systematic and deliberate starvation of people in Gaza – people who for days have had no access to food, water, medical supplies, or shelter. Children are dying of exhaustion, and babies in hospitals suffer from severe malnutrition while humanitarian convoys remain blocked. This is not the result of a natural disaster; it is a political decision, a form of collective punishment orchestrated by the Israeli government.”

AEJ-Bulgaria notes: “Journalists in Gaza are on the brink of physical collapse: they are starving, fainting, losing strength – and with that, their ability to do their work. According to data from the International Federation of Journalists, at least 187 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of the war in Gaza. Their deaths send a dangerous message: that the truth must not be heard. By blocking access for foreign reporters, the Israeli army is suppressing freedom of expression and the public’s right to know. We are witnessing the literal silencing of the voices of truth – the journalists – through death by starvation.”

According to the Association, the world is witnessing one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in modern history. “We express our deep solidarity with all civilians who are dying today due to political inaction, as well as with our fellow journalists who, despite everything, continue to fulfil their professional duty. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian government remains indifferent and even actively undermines peace efforts through its actions at the United Nations – at a time when all honourable public institutions should be showing courage,” it says.

The declaration draws attention to the fact that on July 21, Bulgaria refused to sign a joint call issued by 28 countries (20 of which are EU member states) for an end to the war in Gaza. Bulgaria, it says, is also one of only six countries that declined to support the 2024 UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for a halt to arms sales to Israel in order to prevent violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights.

AEJ-Bulgaria goes on to say:

“The refusal of EU diplomats and member states to support a review of the EU–Israel Association Agreement, as well as the absence of a clear and condemnatory stance on the blockade of humanitarian aid and attacks on journalists, is deeply disappointing and morally unacceptable.

“We urge the Bulgarian government to clearly state its position on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, to stop hiding behind neutral wording, and to cease avoiding concrete action.

“We call on the European Union and on Bulgaria, as a full member, to publicly and officially support: the cancellation of the EU–Israel Association Agreement; the urgent evacuation of civilians in immediate danger; international calls for the admittance of foreign journalists into Gaza; protection of local reporters; and demands for an international investigation into the systematic use of starvation as a war crime.

“Bulgaria must stand on the side of truth, humanity, and international law. We expect our government to take a firm stand in support of international law and the protection of human rights.”

The declaration concludes: “It is a moral and political disgrace that the EU and Bulgaria remain silent at this moment.”