The International Federation of Journalists condemned a decision issued by the Israeli Supreme Court on January 9 rejecting a petition submitted by the "Foreign Press Association" in Jerusalem to allow journalists and media workers from around the world to enter Gaza, citing "security concerns."

The International Federation of Journalists reiterated – in a statement issued today, Friday – its call to the Supreme Court and the Israeli government to allow international press access to Gaza to ensure independent coverage and to stop undermining press freedom, expressing its concern that extending the ban would contribute to the continued control of the Israeli army over international press coverage of the war in Gaza.

The Foreign Press Association, a non-profit organization representing journalists working in international news agencies in Israel and Palestine, submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court on December 19 requesting the immediate entry of international correspondents into the Gaza Strip, after the Foreign Press Association’s initial request sent to the Israeli Defense Forces and the government press office was ignored.

Since the Israeli government prohibited civilians from entering the Gaza Strip following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, entry has only been allowed in very limited cases for crews from some international organizations to enter Gaza accompanied by the Israeli army, with strict censorship imposed on the reports they publish. The international press relies on Palestinian journalists in Gaza to cover the war in the Strip.

The International Federation of Journalists repeatedly called on Israel to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza to cover events on the ground, affirming that this Israeli ban not only prevents journalists from doing their work but also deprives the public of their right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to receive and transmit information without interference or censorship from public authorities and across borders.

The federation stated that no less than 88 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to statistics from the International Federation of Journalists.

The Israeli army announced weeks after the start of the war that it could not guarantee the safety of journalists working in the Gaza Strip.

On October 28, 2023, the International Federation of Journalists, together with the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, called on the Israeli government to fully comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to work to prevent and incite no crimes under international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

The Secretary-General of the International Federation of Journalists, Anthony Bellanger, said: "Since October 13, and since our communication with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO), we have demanded that the Israeli government allow international media institutions to enter the Gaza Strip. And that international journalists be able to enter Gaza and work alongside Palestinian journalists to document and convey what is happening there in the public interest of citizens worldwide. Extending the ban on international press entry to the Gaza Strip is equivalent to depriving the world of knowing more of the truth about what is happening in Gaza."