Israel’s Visa Bans Expose Its Democratic Hypocrisy
STATEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN LEFT
The European Left calls for the suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement
The European Left condemns the exclusion of European journalists and elected representatives by the Israeli authorities. Freedom of the press is not negotiable. The EU must move beyond declarations and suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement.
The European Left strongly condemns the Israeli authorities’ decision to revoke the entry visa granted to Italian journalist Martina Stefanoni of Radio Popolare, who was due to travel to Israel to cover the elections scheduled for 27 October 2026. The case of Serena Bilanceri, correspondent for the German newspaper taz, raises further serious concerns about the arbitrary restrictions imposed on European journalists. These cases also raise the question of how many other journalists have had their visa applications rejected.
The exclusion of journalists is accompanied by restrictions on elected representatives seeking to meet human rights organisations and document conditions on the ground. Ten MPs from the UK alone have had their visa applications rejected, including Jeremy Corbyn, while Italian MP Stefania Ascari has also faced restrictions. These measures raises fundamental questions about transparency, freedom of information and democratic accountability.
A government that claims to uphold democratic values cannot demand international legitimacy while preventing independent scrutiny of its actions.
These incidents must also be viewed within the broader context of the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on international journalism from Gaza. For years, foreign journalists have been denied independent access to the Strip, apart from rare exceptions subject to strict controls. Palestinian journalists were among the first victims while attempting to document the genocide and the humanitarian catastrophe.
Now, restrictions are also affecting journalists seeking to report on elections inside Israel. Whether through visa revocations, refusals of entry or opaque administrative decisions, the result is the same: fewer independent witnesses and fewer opportunities for the international public to obtain information free from government control.
We reject any attempt to normalise these practices. Freedom of the press cannot depend on whether a journalist’s reporting is welcomed by those in power. Nor can elected representatives be prevented from carrying out legitimate political and human rights missions simply because their presence may expose uncomfortable realities.
The European Union cannot continue to invoke human rights and democratic principles while maintaining business as usual with the Israeli government. Article 2 of the EU–Israel Association Agreement explicitly establishes respect for human rights and democratic principles as an essential element of relations between the parties.
The European Commission has already identified indications that Israel is in breach of its obligations under Article 2. Yet European action has failed to match the gravity of the situation.
The European Left calls on the EU and its Member States to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement and immediately implement effective economic and political measures. At the very least, the EU must urgently advance the suspension of the Agreement’s trade-related provisions, alongside targeted measures against those responsible for serious violations of international law.
The exclusion of journalists and elected representatives reinforces the urgency of this demand. An Association Agreement cannot be treated as untouchable while the principles on which it is based are being undermined. European economic relations must not become a shield against accountability.
The European Commission, the European External Action Service and the governments of EU Member States must make clear that attacks on press freedom and the obstruction of legitimate political and human rights missions carry diplomatic consequences.
The EU cannot credibly defend media freedom in Europe while remaining passive when journalists are excluded elsewhere. It cannot demand accountability from other governments while allowing its own economic and political relationship with Israel to proceed without meaningful consequences.
The issue goes beyond the treatment of individual journalists. It concerns the right of the public to know, the ability of elected representatives to scrutinise government actions, and the defence of international law against political expediency.
The European Left stands in solidarity with all journalists and MPs facing intimidation or exclusion, and those working to document human rights violations. We stand with all those defending freedom of information and the right to hold governments accountable.
No democracy can claim credibility while silencing independent journalism. No partnership can be considered normal when its fundamental human rights obligations are disregarded. And no European commitment to human rights is credible without concrete political consequences.
The time for declarations without action is over. The EU must suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement and put human rights, freedom of information and international law ahead of political and economic convenience.