On Thursday, Israel’s Supreme Court will review a petition from an organization representing international media outlets in Israel and the Palestinian territories. This petition demands independent journalistic access to Gaza.
Since the conflict in Gaza erupted in October 2023, Israeli authorities have barred foreign journalists from entering the war-torn area, only allowing a limited number of reporters on strictly supervised visits with their troops.
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has filed a petition seeking access to Gaza, which Israel’s top court will consider on Thursday.
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“For over two years, Israel has blocked foreign reporters from entering the territory, significantly hindering media coverage of this devastating conflict,” the FPA stated on Wednesday ahead of the 9am (0600 GMT) hearing.
“We are glad to finally present our case in court and hope the justices will quickly approve our request to access Gaza,” said Tania Kraemer, FPA chairperson, in the statement.
“It’s time for Israel to lift the restrictions and allow us to work alongside our Palestinian colleagues.”
The FPA, representing hundreds of foreign journalists, began its push for independent access to Gaza shortly after the war began in October 2023, following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel. However, Israeli authorities have repeatedly ignored these requests.
An AFP journalist is on the FPA’s board of directors.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined the FPA in its petition.
While Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, its forces have killed over 210 Palestinian journalists in the region, Antoine Bernard, RSF’s director for advocacy and assistance, stated on Tuesday.
“The outcome is an unparalleled violation of press freedom and the public’s right to reliable, independent, and diverse media coverage,” Bernard said.
“The Supreme Court has the chance to uphold fundamental democratic principles amidst widespread propaganda, misinformation, and censorship and to put an end to the systematic destruction of journalism in and about Gaza over the past two years.
“No justification or restriction can legitimize the exclusion of international, Israeli, and Palestinian media from Gaza,” he added.
On October 10, Israel announced a ceasefire and began withdrawing troops from some areas of the territory as part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to conclude the conflict.
