"The decision extends a policy that has barred foreign correspondents from entering Gaza to report on conditions there, unless reporters are prepared to embed with the Israeli army. At the hearing on Wednesday, justices appeared frustrated with the government's explanations for maintaining the blanket ban on independent press access, which has remained in place since Israel launched its genocidal war against the Palestinian people of Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023."
"Justice Ruth Ronen rejected the state's arguments, insisting that it is not enough to cite security risks' without providing details and noting there had been a very significant change on the ground since the ceasefire. The FPA's legal team was barred from attending or accessing the material presented to the judges. The FPA, which represents 370 journalists from 130 media outlets, said it was deeply disappointed that the Israeli Supreme Court has once again postponed ruling on our petition for free, independent press access to Gaza."
Israel's Supreme Court postponed a ruling on foreign journalists' independent access to Gaza and gave the government until March 31 to justify its ban. State attorneys cited security risks but provided no detailed justifications. The policy bars foreign correspondents from entering Gaza unless they embed with the Israeli army. Justices expressed frustration and Justice Ruth Ronen rejected the state's arguments, saying vague security claims are insufficient and noting significant changes since the ceasefire. The FPA's legal team was barred from accessing classified material presented to judges. The FPA, representing 370 journalists, said closed hearings prevent rebuttal and enable arbitrary closure of Gaza to foreign journalists.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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