Israel threat to bar Gaza flotilla journalists under review

Warning of 10-year ban on entering Israel was not sanctioned by Binyamin Netanyahu, says his deputy Israel says it is rethinking its threat to bar foreign journalists from entering the country for 10 years if they board a new aid flotilla that plans to challenge the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. “[The prime minister,] Binyamin Netanyahu, heard about it on the news and asked to re-examine this issue because it’s problematic,” his deputy, Moshe Yaalon, said on Monday, referring to the warning from Israeli government’s press office (GPO) the previous day. “I know the prime minister was as surprised as I was to hear this,” he said, without disclosing who had made the decision to deliver the threat. “There’s no way to stop the media in this day and age if they [are on board] anyway. It’s better not to clash with them.” The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem described the warning, which the GPO director, Oren Helman, sent to international media organisations, as a “chilling message” that raised questions about Israel’s commitment to freedom of the press. Pro-Palestinian activists have said around a dozen ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip, territory controlled by Hamas, could depart from European ports in the coming days. Israel has made clear it will enforce the blockade it says is aimed at stopping weapons from reaching Hamas. Palestinians say the blockade is illegal and is helping to strangle Gaza’s underdeveloped economy. Israeli officials have said the convoy could dock in Egypt or Israel and have its cargo of aid transferred overland to Gaza. In an email, Helman said participation in the flotilla would be “an intentional violation” of Israeli law and could result in a 10-year entry ban to Israel and the impoundment of journalists’ equipment. A year ago, nine Turkish activists, including one with dual US-Turkish nationality, were killed by Israeli soldiers who raided a Gaza-bound aid convoy and were confronted by passengers wielding clubs and knives. Netanyahu’s security cabinet discussed the new flotilla on Monday. A statement from his office said: “Israel is determined to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza with as little friction as possible with its passengers.” Gaza flotilla Gaza Israel Palestinian territories Hamas Middle East guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 27, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.