Press freedom groups criticizes 'Israeli' court for postponing Gaza access for journalists

The Foreign Press Association (FPA), representing hundreds of international journalists in 'Israel' and the Palestinian territories, expressed frustration on October 23 after 'Israel’s' Supreme Court postponed a hearing on granting journalists independent access to Gaza.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, 'Israeli' authorities have largely barred foreign reporters from entering the territory, allowing only a few on tightly controlled trips alongside military forces.

The FPA filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking unrestricted access for international journalists. During the first hearing on October 23, the State Attorney acknowledged that “the situation has changed” following the Gaza ceasefire but requested an additional 30 days to review the circumstances. No date has yet been set for the next hearing.

“The Foreign Press Association is disappointed in the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to grant the State of Israel yet another delay regarding the independent entry of journalists into Gaza,” the FPA said in a statement after the hearing. “The state today once again relied on stalling tactics to prevent the entry of journalists.”

The organization stressed that repeated delays by 'Israeli' authorities have hindered journalists from performing their duties and obstructed the public’s right to information. “The government’s position remains unacceptable. We renew our call for immediate access to Gaza,” the FPA added.

Ahead of the hearing, FPA chairperson Tania Kraemer said, “We’ve been waiting really long for this day. We are hoping to get in there to work alongside our Palestinian colleagues.”

FPA board member Nicolas Rouget highlighted the importance of reporting from Gaza, saying, “We have a right to inform the public, the people of the world, the Israeli public, the Palestinian population. We feel we must stand by our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza, who have been the only ones able to inform the public about this conflict over the last two years.”

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined the petition, criticizing 'Israel' for blocking foreign reporters while its forces have killed more than 210 Palestinian journalists in Gaza. RSF director Antoine Bernard said, “The result is an unprecedented violation of press freedom and the public’s right to reliable, independent and pluralistic media reporting. No excuse, no restriction can justify not opening Gaza to international, Israeli and Palestinian media.”

The court’s decision comes after 'Israel' declared a ceasefire on October 10 and began pulling back troops from parts of Gaza, under a US-brokered 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump.

The FPA hopes the Supreme Court will act firmly against further delays and uphold press freedom, enabling journalists to report independently from the devastated region.