Press freedom groups demand EU transparency over Gaza

The European Ombudsman has told The New Arab that it has launched an investigation into the European Commission’s refusal to release 17 documents concerning EU-funded infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip.

The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from the online newspaper EUobserver, which requested the records as part of an investigation into the extent of destruction caused by Israeli attacks on EU-funded infrastructure in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

The European Ombudsman launched the inquiry on October 14 after the Commission refused to disclose the documents.

"The complainant made the access request to the Commission in February. In June, the Commission refused access to all 17 documents that it had identified as falling within the scope of the request on protection of data, international relations, and commercial interests grounds," a spokesperson for the European Ombudsman told The New Arab.

"The complainant in July asked the Commission to review its initial decision and then turned to the Ombudsman in September when they did not receive a reply from the Commission."

The European Ombudsman stated that it has since asked the European Commission to respond to *EUobserver *by 4 November at the latest, as European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho will examine the requested documents herself if the response is unsatisfactory.

Fifteen media and press freedom organisations have also urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to improve transparency amid the investigation.

In an open letter published on Wednesday, organisations including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) called on the EU chief to address what they described as a “silent crisis” that has hindered journalists’ efforts to obtain information needed to scrutinise matters of public interest.

The open letter, backed by the 15 organisations, criticised lengthy delays, questionable refusals and extensive redactions that can render disclosed documents largely meaningless.

The signatories also alleged that the Commission sometimes fails to retain and properly archive important records.

"The European Commission’s reputation for safeguarding EU democratic values is in peril," the letter read. "At a time when democratic norms are under attack around the world, now is the time to uphold these values."

The letter, spearheaded by CPJ’s EU deputy advocacy director, Tom Gibson, called for the repeal of the European Commission’s internal procedural rules introduced in December 2024, which the signatories said had made access to documents more difficult.

Their demands also included a renewed action plan to improve journalists’ access to information, including implementing the European Ombudsman’s recommendations and rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

In addition, the signatories called for the Commission to strengthen procedures for registering and archiving documents.

In a July report, *EUobserver *highlighted concerns over the Commission’s lack of transparency as it aimed to investigate documents relating to EU funding for Gaza's physical infrastructure projects such as water supply, stormwater management, sanitation and renewable energy projects.

However, concerns have mounted that many of the projects have since been destroyed during Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza.

The report also questioned the Commission’s refusal to disclose the records amid reports that direct losses resulting from Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza had exceeded $80 billion across 15 vital sectors, according to the territory’s Government Media Office.

The destruction has extended beyond buildings and facilities to roads, water and electricity supplies, telecommunications and sewage networks, as well as economic infrastructure and public services.

Speaking to *The New Arab *earlier this month, Gaza's Government Media Office director-general Smail al-Thawabta highlighted that over 95% of Gaza’s population now relies entirely on humanitarian aid and community kitchens to meet basic needs.

Meanwhile, *EUobserver *reported that losses suffered by EU-funded projects in Gaza were estimated at approximately €155 million alone.

The New Arab approached the European Commission for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Amid growing scrutiny of the European Commission, von der Leyen has also faced criticism over her handling of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned her failure to implement proposals made last year to suspend the trade component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and impose sanctions on Israeli ministers and settlers.

Despite the lack of action, mass protests have taken place across Europe, condemning EU-Israel ties and accusing the bloc of complicity in the Gaza genocide.

"These failures come with consequences: not only for her own credibility and that of the EU, but most of all for the lives of millions displaced, killed or wounded in Palestine and across the region," Amnesty International said in a September statement.

"Von der Leyen should use this year’s address to remedy that, by firstly making good on last year’s proposals, then by ensuring the EU joins the ranks of those banning trade with Israel’s illegal settlements."