The General Meeting of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), which just took place in Budapest, Hungary, on 2 and 3 June, was marked above all by solidarity. The organisation representing media workers in Europe elected a new Steering Committee for the next three years and adopted no fewer than 35 resolutions and statements. For the first time in EFJ history, all affiliates present co-submitted two joint motions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, opening Gaza to the international press, and calling on the European Union to denounce the targeted attacks by the Israeli army against journalists in the West Bank and Gaza.
This is unprecedented: never before had motions been co-signed by all journalists’ organisations at the General Meeting of the EFJ, their trade union federation. On Tuesday, the 116 delegates and observers from 56 journalists’ unions and associations from 37 European countries gave their unanimous support to their Palestinian colleagues, not only by voting in favour of two resolutions on Gaza and the West Bank, but also by co-tabling them.
“I really want to thank the EFJ affiliates for their emphasis on solidarity,” said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez: “Solidarity with our colleagues in Hungary, Palestine, Ukraine, Belarus and all the journalists in Europe who are facing restrictions on press freedom and indecent working conditions. In a difficult economic context, EFJ affiliates have also decided to increase the amount of EFJ membership fees, while adopting mechanisms to protect contributors who have fewer resources. This is also a great gesture of solidarity: by increasing the EFJ’s resources, we are able to provide more services to affiliates who need them most”.
“I thank all the EFJ affiliates for the trust, support and energy we shared in Budapest,” added EFJ President Maja Sever. Thanks to our excellent hosts in Hungary, HPU, MUOSZ and MASZSZ, for the excellent organisation, warm welcome, and for creating space for honest conversations, intense debates, and important decisions. It truly felt like a gathering of solidarity, courage, and connection. Together, we’ve once again shown how powerful solidarity is. We’re staying awake, together, and ready for whatever comes next”.
Source: EFJ
