Press organizations condemn Israel's ban on French journalist

Press freedom organizations have strongly condemned Israel's decision to deny entry to French journalist Alice Froussard, a collaborator for the public radio station RFI. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) issued statements denouncing the move as a serious and repressive measure.

According to the FPA, Froussard had her digital entry authorization approved but was interrogated upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport and subsequently deported. The FPA expressed alarm that a government minister publicly boasted about the decision on social media, calling the accusations against Froussard "indignant."

RSF stated its "total solidarity" with the journalist, viewing the ban as a deliberate attempt to hinder foreign press coverage of the West Bank. The organization questioned whether the West Bank would now face the same media blockades previously imposed on Gaza.

Official reasons cited for the denial of entry included "public security considerations" and "considerations related to the prevention of illegal immigration." However, RSF pointed out that Froussard possessed all required documentation, a visa, and an official contract with RFI. Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli accused Froussard of supporting Hamas by suggesting the Oct. 7 massacre should be viewed "in context."

The FPA noted that this is not the first instance of the Israeli government deeming journalistic coverage "partial" and demanded an immediate reversal of the decision, urging the government to uphold its stated commitment to press freedom.

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Tras el bloqueo impuesto a los medios de comunicación extranjeros en Gaza, ¿le toca ahora el turno a Cisjordania?