The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem has welcomed a decision by Israel’s Supreme Court setting 4 January as the deadline for the government to respond to its request for free and unhindered media access to the Gaza Strip.
Since the start of the war in October 2023, triggered by the unprecedented Hamas attack inside Israel, authorities have barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza independently. Only a small number of reporters have been permitted to accompany Israeli forces on controlled visits inside the enclave.
The FPA, which represents international media outlets operating in Israel and the Palestinian Territories and counts hundreds of members, submitted a petition to the Israeli judiciary a year ago requesting direct access for its journalists. The Court first examined the case on 23 October and gave the authorities one month to propose a framework enabling media access. After granting several extensions, the Court ruled on Saturday that 4 January would be the final deadline.
In its statement, the Court noted that if authorities do not provide their position by that date, a ruling will be issued based on the material already submitted.
The FPA welcomed the decision, stating: “After two years of stalling by the state, we are encouraged to see the Court’s patience reach its limit. We repeat our call on the State of Israel to immediately grant journalists free and unobstructed access to the Gaza Strip. And if the government continues to obstruct press freedom, we trust that the Supreme Court will recognise and defend these freedoms.”
Source: AMNA