On 23 October, the Israeli Supreme Court granted the Hebrew State 30 days to review its position on the media blockade imposed on Gaza. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses its deep concern over the continued blockade by the Israeli government for more than two years, preventing foreign journalists as well as Palestinian journalists from the West Bank from entering the enclave. The IFJ joins the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (PJS) in calling for the immediate lifting of the blockade, in the name of press freedom.
Since 7 October 2023, only Gazan journalists – already exhausted by two years of war and harsh working conditions – are able to report on the reality in Gaza.
On 23 October, the Israeli Supreme Court gave the Hebrew State 30 days to reconsider its position on the ban preventing foreign journalists from entering Gaza, in the context of the ceasefire signed on 9 October.
Despite this decision, no concrete measures have yet been implemented to allow foreign media to enter the enclave freely.
PJS president Nasser Abu Bakr said: “ Israel seeks to silence and prevent journalists to bear witness in Gaza and report on the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. It violates international laws that allow journalists to cover the wars”.
The IFJ recalls that restricting foreign journalists’ access is part of Israel’s intention to control the narrative.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We call on Israel to respect press freedom and to enable journalists, both foreign journalists and those from the West Bank, to cover the situation in Gaza independently, for the benefit of local populations and the international community. It is urgent to lift all restrictions on access to Gaza to facilitate free and independent journalistic work. We call on the international community to support our request, in the name of press freedom and the public’s right to information.”