Over 100 journalists sign letter demanding US impose arms embargo on Israel

A group of more than 100 journalists have signed a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the Biden administration to impose a ban on weapons transfers to Israel over its killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.

The letter comes just over a week after Israel's military killed Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and his camera operator Rami al-Rifi after striking their car with a missile.

Since Israel began its war on Gaza last October, Israeli forces have killed more than 160 Palestinian journalists working out of the besieged enclave.

"As journalists, publications and press freedom groups in solidarity with the courageous Palestinian journalists of Gaza, we call on you to do more to protect journalists and show unwavering support for free and independent media by supporting an arms embargo against Israel," the letter said.

"Israel’s deliberate targeting of journalists follows a longstanding pattern by the Israeli government to suppress truthful reporting on its treatment of Palestinians and its war in Gaza. By providing Israel with the weapons used to kill journalists, the State Department is abetting Israel’s violent suppression of journalism."

Read more: Over 100 journalists sign letter demanding US impose arms embargo on Israel