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Palestine – what now?

The first day of the mission: crossing Israel into Palestine. Given that everything had gone wrong even before departure and it seemed that we would not be able to carry out the mission (again), no one dared to predict what would happen at the airport in Tel Aviv.

Of course, many people hoped that we would not succeed. Many people also lobbied that we would not succeed. In the end, they did not succeed, but we did. I have to be honest and say that this was also due to the very direct support of the leadership of the European Parliament. In short, we had no problems at the border and the day after our arrival – in the last week of October 2025 – we began the official part of the three-day meetings and visits.

Already at the security briefing – in addition to the urgent instructions that we had to know just in case, from the possibility of an attack to the response if anything happened – we were warned not to fall for the impression of “normal” everyday life.

Because everything is far from normal…

At practically all meetings, our interlocutors warned us that the world is too quick to accept agreements that are just the tip of the iceberg. A patch, a virtual ceasefire, while humanitarian aid is still not enough, the attacks have not ended, and the number of innocents killed is still growing.

Although it certainly seems to many from the outside that everything is as “normal” as possible in the West Bank, in reality it is no better off. The violence there is less visible, but no less brutal. The latest report from the relevant United Nations office mentions 264 attacks by immigrants in just one month, an average of eight per day. Eight. Per day.

The only condition for normality – the way I can write it without quotes – is the end of occupation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, genocide. And taking responsibility for all of the above. There is no alternative.

What is the point of the rules of international law if the rule of power (read: influence and money) prevails? Why do you even have some rules in the context of law if they are not respected, they asked me. And you know what hurts the most? That they are right. It is actually very simple. It is absolutely a problem when the rules are not respected. But an even bigger problem is when there is no responsibility for such disrespect.

No punishment.

A world that relaxes under the impression that everything is fine sends the wrong signal – that everything listed in the previous paragraph is fine. That no alternative is needed.

The European Union is present in Palestine, and is the largest donor, I would say. But on the ground it is becoming clear that no such aid can replace political responsibility. Above all, it must not become a substitute for justice, an excuse for inaction.

The number of illegal settlers in the West Bank is increasing. There are hundreds of thousands of them, according to official figures, almost half a million, and I’m not even counting East Jerusalem (there are an additional 200,000 there).

Not only can all these immigrants march through the streets with weapons without any problem – everything they do, they do with the knowledge and (in)direct support of the military and the authorities. Soldiers, ex-soldiers, civilians, everything is intertwined, uniform is no criterion.

I am not the biggest fan of generalizations. You will never hear me say that an entire nation is evil. Or vice versa. But the fact is that in this case, an entire nation lives in fear, while the cheaper life through illegal settlements attracts another nation, which apparently does not even think about the legal, let alone the moral, consequences.

These are not empty words.

Palestinian society is facing an existential threat, we have heard this from both representatives of the Palestinian Authority and from all NGOs – including Israeli ones. Tens of thousands of children have been killed, tens of thousands of children have various health problems, tens of thousands of children are orphans.

The feeling of injustice has touched almost every conversation. Palestine is being decided without Palestine. The international system maintains a state in which Palestine is forever waiting. For permission, for help, for justice. With all due respect and reverence for historical events, but the international system also maintains a state of eternal victims – and no, in this case I am not talking about Palestinian women and men.

“Because they can. Why can they?”

The second day of the mission was dedicated to civil society and local organizations in East Jerusalem – Palestine.

Everyone pointed out that the situation is far from good. That both the Israeli authorities and Hamas are deliberately dividing Palestine, specifically Gaza and the West Bank. That humanitarian workers are exhausted.

Can you imagine living your whole life right by the sea and never trying fish? Not because you don’t want to, but because you’re not allowed to. Can you imagine?

Can you imagine having olive groves, and in the middle of the peak season, someone simply steals your fruits – which you, of course, picked, worked hard for – because they can?

What about if someone breaks into your house and asks you if you’re scared right now? And tells you that he’s going to cut off your head, yours, your children’s heads, if you don’t leave? Can you imagine?

Just like that. Because he can.

Don’t ask yourself why!

I spoke to young activists, as well as journalists. They all emphasized a sense of numbness and a loss of meaning. Even a sense of guilt for living.

“Does Gaza really have to bleed to make its to the news?” How should one answer such a question? Or to the statement that they are not asking for charity, but for HUMAN rights?

You tell them they are right. Because they are. And then? You agree that the European Union is a prisoner of some of its own political mechanisms and consensuses, not to mention internal politics and some historical feelings of guilt (which are unjustly associated with the present, by the way). Does the EU’s voice carry weight? It could. Where is the “because it can” here?

Can you imagine the Palestinian people (read: I’m not talking about terrorists) thinking that they can? That they can avenge the deaths of tens of thousands of babies, children? Women, mothers? Men, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles… PEOPLE.

People with a future. So can you imagine someone living there and watching all this, surviving through some lucky combination of circumstances, having nothing (anymore) to lose, and thinking: if the rule of law doesn’t apply, if there’s no accountability and punishment, then… can I?

When I grow up, I will be …

The two fields on the last day hurt me the most. First, the one that was the most full of good will, laughter, eyes in which you see not only a spark of hope, but sincere happiness when thinking about the future.

When I grow up, I will be a doctor! – Why? – Because I want to save the world.

When I grow up, I will be a lawyer! – Why? – Because I want to save my brother.

When I grow up, I will be an engineer! – Why? – Because I want to do good.

Did you notice the “because I can”? Me neither. While visiting a school in one of the refugee camps in the West Bank, I felt really bad. When you look at these children, at least in my case as the mother of a little girl, you think: what the hell?!

To avoid any misunderstanding, this isn’t really about whether you have children or not, because I honestly think something like that would be unbearable for anyone. A human, of course.

The field visit to Palestine revealed a reality that goes beyond official statements, peace agreements, discussions, speeches…

And yet, at the end of the mission what was even more painful, was the field of visits by adults who were left without everything, with a look in their eyes in which you only see …

And what now?

The main battle today is not Gaza. The main battlefield is the West Bank, where daily life is reduced to a master-slave relationship. People are wondering whether to stay or flee, but many are persevering.

Why, you ask? So did I. Because they have nothing else left. Like hope, like a voice, like a language. And even threats of literally cutting off their heads don’t silence them.

 

What we have been witnessing in the Middle East in recent weeks and beyond is classic political theater. Israel creates the appearance of action, while world leaders act not for moral reasons, but purely out of political calculations.

Sometimes you have to see for yourself to truly understand what it means to live in fear that never goes away. At the end of the day – or mission – you are left with the feeling that everyone who lives there exists in a state between survival and hope. Hope, that must not end.

But, dear readers, this is not just about Palestine. It is about humanity. It is about basic values ​​that NO ONE should ignore. Everything that has happened in the last two years cannot be simply erased. Pretending that nothing happened and was happening. That nothing is happening. The genocide has not ended. It is just slower and quieter. Even worse, in fact.

And the greatest irony? It is that Palestinians would not need foreign aid at all if they were simply allowed to live. And it is that foreign aid – pressure – is actually what the state of Israel needs.

The European Union has the tools; we have seen how we know how to use them, or are using them, against Russia. The fact that we don’t have them here is not a lack of understanding. It is hypocrisy.

And that’s why I’m going to have serious discussions in my political group next week as we decide on the next steps. I won’t give up, because there should NEVER be any excuses for not taking responsibility. It’s time for us to take ours – morally, politically and humanly.

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How can you perform surveillance if you don’t have access to the data?

On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, I organized an event in the Brussels Parliament with the aforementioned people to review the current state of play in the field of transparency of the EU’s operations, the legislative process, access to documents…

We jointly assessed that it is not exactly the best. Unfortunately. We all know the case of the correspondence between the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the company Pfizer, which hid the personal messages in which she negotiated for vaccines from journalists. The New York Times journalists even initiated legal proceedings, and in the summer they won a lawsuit, but then received a response from the European Commission, saying that “we did not save these messages”.

Similarly, von der Leyen’s spokeswoman recently claimed that she deleted two messages from French President Emmanuel Macron because “she had no space on her phone”. What cynicism…

… but all this is basically just the tip of the iceberg. The EU’s institutional arrangements are such that the principles of transparency are still somewhat respected in the European Parliament, as the majority of our debates are public and recorded, while in the European Commission or the Council of the EU only PR is public.

Documents can be requested through the Ombudsman, but judging by what was said at the event, the Commission and the Council avoid it in every possible way, spend months “searching” for documents in the archives or sending so many documents that you can’t get through.

And that’s just the general part. The second is that the situation has only worsened recently. They propose legislation without impact assessments (these are key studies), they exclude the European Parliament from the process for the 150 billion euro borrowing mechanism (which is why we sued the European Commission, by the way), they combine different areas in one legislative package (these are the so-called Omnibuses), they exclude stakeholders from legally required consultations… in short, they do everything possible just to make the process even more opaque and resistant to criticism, to force proposals without real democratic control.

When Ursula von der Leyen agreed with US President Donald Trump that the EU would be hit with 15% tariffs, the Commission President also agreed with him to remove those small tariffs on industrial goods from the US in the EU. She agreed similarly for certain food products. There are no legally defined “impact assessments” of these proposals at all. Neither how much less revenue will there be, nor how much more goods will there be from the US. All to prevent Trump from doing even more damage – but the latter is still threatening new measures against the EU.

At the event, we agreed that we all – the European Parliament, the Ombudsman, NGOs and journalists – face similar challenges, where we often do not get the answers we need from the executive branch to do our job. But we also agreed that this will not stop us from doing our job.

  • Irena

In addition to MEP Irena Joveva, who also organised the event, the discussion also included Lambros Papadias – Head of Cabinet of the European Ombudsman, Nick Aiossa – Director of Transparency International EU, Anne Friel – lawyer and Head of Environmental Rights and Rule of Law at ClientEarth, Staffan Dahllöf – freelance journalist from Denmark, and MEPs Cristina Guarda, Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA) and Evin Incir (S&D).

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Chat control. Chat control. Chat control.

Chat control. Chat control. Chat control.

Have I got your attention? Good.

That feeling when manipulations and lies come back like a boomerang to those who manipulate and lie, because they don’t know how to do anything else anyway. That feeling when “your five minutes” come.

It would be a great feeling, if the topic weren’t really too sensitive for cheap political points to be scored on. I’m writing this because I won’t allow incitement, especially not the kind that is necessary, because it makes someone accountable for certain political programs. I’m writing this because I have never and will not ever deviate from my views, principles and tenets.

I’m writing this because one day I’m a disgrace who supports sexual predators and at the same time proclaims herself a great advocate for children, even publicly exposing my daughter for the needs of her candidacy, and the next day I’m… nothing. I’m nothing, while all of a sudden they’re all great advocates of the right to privacy. Even those who voted FOR the exception to the extension of the rules that allowed access to private – I repeat, private – communications. But wasn’t that “chat control”? It absolutely was. And I was absolutely the only one against it at the time.

You have the evidence in the photos. On one side, my statement, on the other, the bizarre claims of certain people, including politicians, who think they can say and write anything – and it doesn’t matter at all whether it’s true or not. Those who adapt their positions to momentary applause or – worse – their own interests.

So … yes, these are my five minutes. Five minutes that are actually eternal – because I am consistently against general surveillance of private communications. Consistently AGAINST the “chat control” regulation. Consistently FOR my positions, always and everywhere.

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[CHAT CONTROL]

“The hypocrisy of the leftists cannot be hidden. The European Parliament member and leader of the Svoboda list, Irena Joveva, recently voted in Brussels against the extension of the measure to fight child sexual abuse online, while at the same time publicly advocating for children’s rights in Gaza. She herself “warns” about the rise of “right-wing populism”, while perversely “unnoticeably” voting for sexual predators, but in confrontations she presents herself as a fighter for human rights. Is the perverted LGBT agenda and the sexualization of children so important to the leftists that they would even allow child abuse and pedophilia?”

You read a part of an article by some “media”. You know, the first one in the service of “truth”. It was towards the end of May 2024. A good two weeks before the European elections. They never had any real arguments to slander, so they just made them up. Or manipulated them. It was easier to hit below the belt, saying “Joveva, a politician and mother, supports child sexual abuse”.

And today? Today, they suddenly understand that a real fight against pedophilia is possible without spying on absolutely everyone. Today, of course, they also suddenly do not mention that I was the only one from Slovenia who voted against it at the time. It was about relaxing the rules directly related to the CSAM regulation, which is known as “chat control” today.

At that time, I was even asked about it on our national television. I came to a youth event on the future of the EU, and I was asked if I had really voted against the fight against child sexual abuse. I admit that I was outraged at the time. Outraged that a certain propaganda machine – as it has so many times before – had succeeded again.

And today? Today, I am so very happy that I can share with you this very statement of mine from back then. Because today, it is just one more proof that I am not one of those people who decide as they see fit at the moment. That I do not say – or do – something just because it is popular at that moment.

And today …. when I receive dozens of emails a day from rightly concerned people, what do I think about the “chat control” legislation, I think to myself… good morning. Orwell would be proud.

I don’t. Can you imagine someone from Whatsapp, a third party, reading your messages, looking at your photos and recordings – just in case?

Can you imagine? A photo of your child in a swimsuit that you send to your grandmother ends up in some global “control archive”. Or an intimate message to your partner. And then some Facebook employee can see it. Or, worse, it ends up in the hands of someone you don’t even want to know. Or someone who then uses it. For revenge, for pleasure, for… whatever. This is not security, this is a recipe for disaster. This is the end of encryption, the end of privacy and the largest archive of intimate content on the Internet. Something that criminals and pedophiles can’t wait for, by the way! A measure that is supposed to protect children, would actually expose both children and all of us even more. Because, wait, it’s about child safety. Irony in all its glory.

Today we would read messages “for the protection of children”. Tomorrow they will be read “for the security of the country”. And the day after tomorrow?

Let me be clear as always. Pedophilia must be prosecuted without mercy. That is why we have already adopted stricter penalties in the EU. But at the same time, I am convinced that the solution is not algorithms that will simply comb through everything we privately send to someone. The solution is awareness-raising, education of children and parents, effective work of the police and courts, strict legislation. And of course – clear rules that also protect our privacy.

“Chat control”? “Chat control” is a dangerous farce and as long as I am in the European Parliament, I will do everything to prevent it.

Anyone who believes that mass surveillance will protect children, believes in fairy tales. And this fairy tale in particular, is one without happy ending. Privacy is our right.

Where are you now, those of you who asked yourself a year ago, who am I protecting? Now I ask you. Who are you protecting? Who were you protecting yesterday, who are you protecting today, and who will you be protecting tomorrow?

– Irena

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“So go and do what you can to stay human. Otherwise, nothing will matter.”

“Can a person get used to war? Of course, they can. I got used to it. I don’t like it, but I did. I live according to the existing conditions, I work, think, eat… But – can a person get used to it and remain normal? That’s a more difficult question. A kind of Friday decided about Irma. I had long forgotten that there is such a thing as Friday, then the weekend, then holidays and similar things, and the month of August is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and similar joys of carefree people. For us, this does not exist. They assigned us another kind of sport. A game with death. Yours or someone else’s, but in the game there is always only one thing – to exist or not to exist. As if that is something. What is important? To survive at all costs? That is not important either. It is important to live as a human being, but if it doesn’t work, then nothing else matters. Not even to live. So go and do what you can to remain human. Otherwise, nothing will matter.”

You have read a passage from a book that I have been reading for months. Not because I could not spare those few minutes before going to bed, but because the personal story of the author of The Sarajevo Princess, doctor Edo Jaganjac, is so deeply moving that …

… it is difficult to comprehend. Is it really so difficult to be human in inhuman conditions? How is it possible that nothing is sacred, not even the lives of children and young people?

And today, when many – especially young people – are courageously standing up against autocracy, against the falsification of history and against dehumanization, it is crucial to understand that the crime in Srebrenica has a name. Genocide. This is not an opinion, but a fact confirmed in the courts.

With the responsibility of individuals – not of a nation.

This is a demand for responsibility – not collective guilt.

This is respect for the victims – and for all those who, within Serbia or anywhere else in this world, want a society without denial, without manipulation and without glorification of criminals.

This is a demand that heads not be turned when international humanitarian law is only valid on paper.

When even hunger is a deadly weapon.

When a child in Gaza, seeking only a sip of water, does not know if he will survive.

When a hospital or a refugee camp is no longer a protection or a refuge, but a potential trap.

When the international community is too late to prevent these atrocities. As it has been so many times before. As it was 30 years ago. Again.

The international legal order is collapsing not only under the weight of bombs, but also under the weight of indifference. Dehumanization. And with looking away.

“So go and do what you can to remain human. Otherwise, nothing will matter.”

 

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2024!

Dear youth,

I believe that you have all already fully stepped into the year 2024. Just like us.

The first plenary session of the year, where I spoke about the state of media freedom in Greece, is behind us. A country that is historically known as the cradle of democracy, but today, unfortunately, is anything but that. That is why I am not silent and that is why we must monitor the implementation of European media legislation there as well. Because I do not want the cradle of democracy to become its graveyard.

On the day when South Africa presented its arguments in its lawsuit against Israel, I publicly announced that I had addressed letters to the authorities at the European Commission with specific questions and demands. They have six weeks to respond. Because I want the EU as a totality to have as much political power, to call Israel’s actions in Gaza by their right name. THIS. IS. GENOCIDE.

You also know about my efforts for Slovenian in the digital world. It may sometimes seem as if nothing is happening, but that is not true. Unfortunately, it is moving slowly, but now I have come to terms with the procedures in the European institutions, because … it is better to start and persist than to do nothing, right? It is moving, it really is. The two competent European Commissioners have responded to my letter regarding the need to revise the European Directive on Audiovisual Media Services. They assured me that they will be happy to include me in further procedures, and thanks to their response, we now have a piece of paper: the ban on linguistic discrimination WILL be legally established at the European level. Because I want our mother tongue to be respected as it deserves.

Yes, the European elections are just around the corner, but I prefer to direct my energy towards what I can still do through my work. For you. My will to work has not and will not change – regardless of the period (before the elections) we are in. Because, you know … we are not all the same.

Irena

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Is it better to do nothing than to start something? And to persevere.

Is it better to do nothing than to start something? And to persevere.

“We share your goal of protecting linguistic diversity. We will also carefully consider the issue you raised as part of the evaluation process, and we will be happy to continue to work with you to resolve it.”

In the paragraph above, you read the essence of the response of the authorities, Vice-President of the European Commission Vera Jourova and European Commissioner Thierry Breton, to my appeal to amend European legislation so that we finally – systematically and explicitly – ban linguistic discrimination.

You know that I’ve been working for a long time to ensure that all multinationals operating in the European Union market begin to respect the equality of the official languages of that same market, but it’s more than obvious that this won’t work without legal coercion.

I therefore certainly welcome the fact that the European Commission, with whom I have been in discussions (and agreements) for some time on how to legally resolve this problem, will examine my proposals for the revision of the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive. I also appreciate the willingness of the Vice-President and the Commissioner to involve me in the further procedures.

It is precisely because of their response that we now have the black and white: the ban on linguistic discrimination WILL be legislated at the European level. Many of you are asking me why it hasn’t been yet. Rightly so, but unfortunately the European legislative process is taking a looooong time. And unfortunately I can’t influence it as much as I would like. But…

…is it really better to do nothing than to start something? And to persevere. And believe me, I will.

The letter, which – including the remaining details – you can find here, is a very clear signal from the highest level of the European Union executive that … it is possible.

– Irena

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Balance Sheet 2023

12 plenary sessions. 21 plenary speeches. Hours and hours of voting, meetings, debates. Finding compromises. Insisting on things that I knew had to stay or be accepted in the texts. Dozens of amendments and appeals tabled or co-signed. No less important coordination within committees and in the framework of trilogues, which often dragged on late into the night …

…and another calendar year has passed. I hope you had a great time celebrating the start of a new one. I am opening these doors for another year, more experienced, but no less driven. I remain firmly grounded, while remaining true to my principles, to myself, and – to you.

I became Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Public Health. For the first time in the European Parliament, we really, honestly and loudly spoke about the importance of mental health, and advocated for the elimination of stigma and the promotion of the normalization of help-seeking in our society.

I was appointed as the Parliament’s lead rapporteur for the revision of the legislation on population and housing statistics. As rapporteur for my political group, I also played a significant role in shaping the European Media Freedom Act. In the adopted text, we stipulated for the first time at EU level that Member States should not interfere in editorial policy. The act also ensures sufficient and predictable funding for public media and measures against surveillance of journalists.

I continued – and continue! – to fight against discrimination against the Slovenian language in the digital world. I met with representatives of multinationals, addressed a written question to the European Commission regarding discrimination against the official languages of the Union, initiated negotiations with them on the revision of the relevant European legislation, and participated in the Culture Committee of the National Assembly, where I received unanimous support for my efforts in this area.

With combined efforts of my Renew Europe political group and the challenging search for compromises within the European Parliament, we have voted and adopted important measures for the future of the Union, sometimes with only a narrow majority.

Achievements in the field of the environment include the Nature Restoration Act, which will cover at least 20 percent of land and sea areas, the Renewable Energy Directive, and the establishment of a carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The only predictability of nature is its unpredictability. This summer we experienced the worst natural disaster in the history of Slovenia. With the European Union Solidarity Fund, we provided money for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure.

We have taken steps to reduce the use of plastic. I know that some measures are annoying many people in their daily lives, but in this case, something is better than nothing. Unless we really want seas of plastic instead of animals in them. Truth be told, we are already not that far from that. With the Packaging Regulation, we intend to reduce the amount of packaging and encourage the reuse of materials.

As regards job creation, I was actively involved as one of the parliamentary negotiators in the adoption of the report on job creation for a just transition, which aims to transform existing jobs into green and sustainable jobs. We voted on the Pay Transparency Directive and the Platform Workers Directive, which will – I hope – contribute to creating safer working conditions for many workers.

In the field of culture, I was one of the parliamentary negotiators when it came to the social and professional situation of artists in the cultural sector. We confirmed their position with the legislative framework, as they need to establish (at least) minimum standards for working conditions.

When it comes to consumer rights, we have taken the necessary steps. By introducing the right to repair, repairs will be more affordable compared to buying new goods.

We have actively sought more opportunities for young people. In the report on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps programme, as one of the negotiators, I called for more engagement when it comes to young people, following the principle of nothing about young people without young people. I advocated for an increase in funding for the programme in question, as well as for the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.

With the legislative resolution on quality inernships, we have finally (!!!) put an end to unpaid internships for young people. We have called on the Commission to propose a directive on quality internships, which will ensure adequate compensation for interns. I push the boundaries where I can, which is why last year we continued the practice of paid internships in our office, giving five young people a multi-month internship experience that will be very useful when entering the competitive job market.

Meanwhile, technology is advancing at such an incredible speed that it is really difficult for a human – let alone legislation – to keep up. However, the use of artificial intelligence will now be regulated by the historic Artificial Intelligence Act, which is the first comprehensive legislation in this area in the world. With the act, we ensure safety, transparency and environmentally friendly artificial intelligence systems.

Although in the field of expansion we seem to be operating on the principle of two steps forward and one step back, the European Parliament has called on the Union to start accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. The same applies to Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided that this country implements certain reforms. However, I would like to draw attention to double standards once again. At the November meeting between MEPs and members of the Macedonian Parliament, I stressed that North Macedonia in particular, as well as the Western Balkans in general, deserve a better fate. And a fair, honest relationship.

Throughout the year, I spoke about my work and current European issues and opportunities for young people with young people from Domžale, Kranj, Ljubljana, Logatec, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Portorož, Velenje. In the special “MEP Shadowing” programme, I participated in the voluntary work of learning the Slovenian language for participants from Ukraine. Through the story of a young Palestinian man whose house was invaded by the Israeli army, I took to the stage in the play “Without Hope, with Hope”, which was performed in the European Parliament.

Unfortunately, a few months later, this staging turned into an even sadder and more tragic reality on the ground. Sanctions against Israel should have been inevitable, as should the advocacy of a policy of peace. Meanwhile, the War in Ukraine entered its second year. We have been following the rise of illiberal democracies after the elections in Slovakia and the Netherlands. I do not want such a Union, such a world.

As part of my international activities, I visited Poland as part of a parliamentary delegation of the Committee on Culture and Education, where I learned about the state of the country in the field of freedom of the media, culture and education. A closer look revealed that in Poland, law and justice operate exclusively according to government criteria, led by the ironically eponymous party.

I also participated in the Internet Governance Forum meeting held in Kyoto, Japan. As a panelist, I spoke at the discussion on the fight against disinformation and hate speech.

Despite some opposition, we secured an additional, ninth Slovenian seat in the European Parliament, which will increase your representation, the representation of Slovenian citizens in the Union.

None of the above would have been possible without your valuable support. Your advice, praise, and even criticism… you are the driving force behind my efforts. That is why this year, as every year, I will make every effort to ensure that your voice is heard in the European Parliament – for you – for your and our shared, better future.

– Irena

Photo: EP/Alain Rolland

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“Historic white smoke! We did it!”

Historic white smoke! We did it!

“‘There’s no way you’re going to get this done in this term.'” We’ve been hearing that for over a year. I’ve thought about it myself many times. I admit it.

There were attempts to demolish it from all sides. There were rebellions. There were disputes about who was responsible for what. There was drama. A lot of drama. But… reason won. Remember the Renew Europe team in this photo, who did everything and more so that after a whole day of final interinstitutional negotiations I can write to you: we have reached a political agreement on the final text of the European Media Freedom Act!

Democracy cannot function without free, critical and professional journalism. I really can’t describe my current feelings. I’m so pleased that with this legislation we are also recognizing this role of the media at the European Union level.

We know from experience that the media are constantly under pressure from political subordination, private (or business) interests or state restrictions on their activities. In the European Union, specifically the competent European Commission, they could only be “concerned” when serious violations occurred. There was no legal basis for concrete measures. Now, with this legislation, there will be.

The media has been given a special place on the market, a special place on the Internet, and journalists have been given special protection against espionage, against interference with editorial freedom, against attempts at political takeover. The content of the law is very good. Of course, also because I managed to include many of my proposals in it.

The final official confirmation will follow in the first half of next year. Thanks in particular to Rok and Joanna for their patience, determination and persistence in the endlessly long technical meetings, and of course also to my colleague from the Civil Liberties Committee (who had a say in part of the text) Ramona and her colleague Gabriel. Together we made it.

And to all you who read and follow me, greetings from Brussels!

– Irena

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“It’s November 29th.”

It’s November 29th.

No, I won’t write about the holiday of the former commonwealth, which some of you may have thought of now.

I will write about today’s international day, which is marked by uncertainty, worry, pain, death, injustice, but also by tenacious determination and hope for a better tomorrow.

Today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Already marked in the past by violent unilateral actions by Israel, which have led to forced evictions, demolitions of Palestinian homes, restrictions on movement and deadly attacks. Already marked in the past by a longing for an end to the occupation. Segregation. With the hope that the international community will finally take action.

Today is also the day when – unless otherwise agreed at the negotiations in Qatar – the six-day ceasefire between Hamas and Israel expires, and the related exchange of hostages and prisoners.

But what will happen tomorrow? What will the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People be like next year? What kind of solidarity is that?

Today is marked by the United Nations. If, under the cloak of patronizing solidarity and fine slogans, there are real efforts for justice and peace, the same United Nations should at least consistently respect its adopted resolutions. Especially the one that envisages the establishment of two separate states in the area of the former British mandate.

The only guarantee for the safety of all civilians and lasting peace in the Middle East lies in a permanent ceasefire, a sincere return of the State of Israel to the peace process, and the formulation of a peace plan that will lead to the final establishment and international recognition of yet another state that has the right to exist: the State of Palestine.

– Irena

Photo: – EP Alexis Haulot/EP

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