Israel: Press anger over continued censorship

Frustration is growing over Israel’s refusal to allow journalists into the Gaza Strip. Padraig Reidy reports

The Foreign Press Association in Israel has expressed anger over the Israeli government’s continued refusal to allow foreign journalists into Gaza.

Glenys Sugarman, Executive Secretary of the Foreign Press Association in Israel, told Index on Censorship that the Israeli government was still not allowing six journalists into Gaza, despite a ruling from the Supreme Court that journalists on a list compiled by the FPA must be allowed into the area. Israeli authorities have claimed the FPA has not finalised the list of journalists.

‘We have not changed the list, despite these claims,’ said Sugarman. ‘The government has the list of reporters we supplied a week ago.’

Sugarman said there is only one entry point where journalists can access Gaza.

‘The Erez checkpoint is the only Israeli checkpoint which will deal with international passports,’ she said. ‘There is no other way in to Gaza. Attempting to cross from Egypt means applying to the Egyptian authorities, which can take up to six weeks.’

Director of the Israeli government press office Daniel Seaman told Index on Censorship: ‘The Supreme Court ruling states that journalists could only be allowed into Gaza if conditions permitted. Conditions since the ruling have gotten worse, and there hasn’t been an opportunity to let journalists into Gaza. The army cannot guarantee security at the moment.’

A BBC cameraman yesterday gained access to Gaza, embedded with an IDF unit.

« Sri Lanka: reporter killed • Coverage of Sri Lankan reporter’s murder censored »

1. Jon Money

   January 13, 2009 at 20:59

   Hi,
   The enclosed leaflet was handed to over 1,500 BBC staff over the past 4 days as they went into work.
   It makes the point that their correspondent Andrew Herbert is participating in a war crime by being ‘embedded’ with this murderous unit. I’m sure you’ll agree after you have watched the report that this breaks all rules of acceptable journalism.
   I notified the BBC of my complaint 4 days ago but am still waiting for a reply.
   The URL for the article is:
   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7817040.stm
   If you have any questions please call on 07092388117.

   BBC Correspondent Participates in War Crime
   Your correspondent Andrew Herbert is ‘embedded’ with the Israeli Giv’ati Infantry Brigade while the Israeli army carry out a war crime by invading Gaza.
   Why is the BBC allowing this?
   Soldiers of the Giv’ati have been convicted for killing unarmed children in Gaza (2004). One schoolgirl was riddled with bullets at close range as she lay dying.
   They are part of the division that murdered British journalist James Miller and human rights activists Tom Hurndall & Rachel Corrie.
   For the BBC to work with this murderous unit is shameful. To allow uncritical comment from an army when it is committing a war crime is to condone it.
   You can stop it. Please protest to your line manager.

One Response to “Israel: Press anger over continued censorship”