- Foreign Press Association
- 1 Agudat Hasport Hapoel St.
- Jerusalem 9695102
- Israel
- +972 (0)54-6311177
- fpa.execsec@gmail.com
FPA Statements 2024
November 27, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association on Freedom of the Press
The Israeli government continues to undermine press freedom. Following the ban on Al-Jazeera and an attempt to shut down an Associated Press video feed, it now targets Israeli outlets, with a resolution cutting state ties to Ha’aretz newspaper and a bill to privatize the public broadcast authority.
These moves appear vindictive and politically motivated.
The FPA is deeply concerned and urges reconsideration, warning these steps undermine democratic values.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
September 22, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association on raiding and closure of Al Jazeera offices in Ramallah
This morning, Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera’s Ramallah offices in the occupied West Bank, ordering a 45-day shutdown. This follows last May’s closure of Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem offices, under a new law banning the Qatar-funded network from Israel—believed to be a first for a foreign news outlet.
The Foreign Press Association is deeply troubled by this escalation, which threatens press freedom, and urges the Israeli government to reconsider these actions.
Restricting foreign reporters and closing news channels, signals a shift away from democratic values.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
September 10, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association. The FPA demands immediate entrance to Gaza
The Foreign Press Association expresses its profound disappointment that one year into a devastating war, Israel continues to bar independent access to Gaza for the international media.
This is shocking behavior for a country that professes its commitment to the democratic ideals of a free press. Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information blackout.
It has repeatedly rejected our appeals for access, fought us in court to uphold this draconian ban and offered just a handful of highly controlled “embed” opportunities for a small number of our members. Perhaps most concerning, it shows no signs of changing its position, even as it scales back its military presence and allows humanitarian workers in and out of the territory.
At the same time, Palestinian journalists inside Gaza, some of whom have been killed while reporting the news, continue to face unprecedented threats and restrictions on movement as they risk their lives trying to cover this story.
At this critical juncture, the FPA has once again turned to Israel’s Supreme Court in hopes to sustain the freedom of the press and democratic fundamental rights.
We call on the world to join us in our call for unfettered and independent access to Gaza. To Israel, we say enough with the excuses. It is time to let us in.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
July 7, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association regarding non access for foreign press to Gaza
The Foreign Press Association expresses its shock and profound disappointment that nine months into a devastating war, Israel continues to bar independent access for the international media from Gaza.
Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information blackout. It has repeatedly rejected our appeals for access, fought us in court to uphold this draconian ban and offered just a handful of highly controlled “embed” opportunities for a small number of our members.
At the same time, Palestinian journalists inside Gaza continue to face unprecedented threats and restrictions on movement as they courageously try to cover this story.
It raises questions about what Israel doesn’t want international journalists to see.
We once again call on Israel to allow international journalists unfettered and independent access to Gaza.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
May 22, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association on Israel returning AP’s broadcasting equipment
The Foreign Press Association is relieved that the Israeli government has returned AP’s confiscated broadcasting equipment, following widespread media coverage and expressions of concern from the White House, the Union of Journalists in Israel and press freedom groups.
We continue to be concerned that Israel’s new foreign media law, which banned Al Jazeera’s operations this month, leaves the door open for further abusive action.
We urge the government to abolish this law and to find a better way to balance security concerns with the democratic ideals of a free press.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association
May 21, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association on Israel’s confiscation of AP broadcasting equipment
The Foreign Press Association is alarmed by Israel’s confiscation of the Associated Press’ broadcasting equipment today along the Israeli border near Gaza. This is the latest in series of chilling steps by the Israeli government to stifle the media.
The Israeli Communications Ministry said its move was to block AP from providing footage to Al Jazeera, one of hundreds of AP clients around the globe, after Israel banned the network from operating locally under a new media law May 5.
But today’s outrageous move also blocks AP from providing crucial images of northern Gaza to all other media outlets around the world.
Israel’s move today is a slippery slope. Israel could block other international news agencies from providing live footage of Gaza. It also could allow Israel to block media coverage of virtually any news event on vague security grounds.
Israel’s record on press freedom already has been dismal throughout the war. For the entire conflict, it has prevented independent access to Gaza for foreign journalists. Now it has taken another step backward away from the democratic ideals it claims to uphold.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association
May 5, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association regarding Al Jazeera closure
Israel’s decision to shutter Al Jazeera should be a cause for concern for all supporters of a free press.
With this decision, Israel joins a dubious club of authoritarian governments to ban the station. And the government may not be done. The prime minister has the authority to target otherforeign media that he deems to be “acting against the state.”
We urge the government to reverse this harmful step and uphold its commitment to freedom of the press – including outlets whose coverage it may not like.
This is a dark day for the media. This is a dark day for democracy.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association
April 8, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association regarding foreign press access to Gaza
The Foreign Press Association is alarmed that six months into the Israel-Hamas war, Israel continues to bar international reporters from entering any part of the Gaza Strip independently.
The barring of independent press access to a war zone for this long is unprecedented for Israel. It raises questions about what Israel does not want international journalists to see.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly rejected our appeals for access – in private meetings and in a Supreme Court ruling – citing a variety of security-related and logistical arguments.
The military has granted a small number of opportunities for an even smaller number of media outlets to enter Gaza under military escort.
At the same time, Palestinian journalists inside Gaza have faced unprecedented threats and harm while courageously covering the story.
The decision whether to be on the ground in Gaza should be up to each individual international media outlet. The blanket ban has limited the world’s ability to witness the true cost of the war to all sides.
We call on authorities to grant the international media expanded and unfettered access to Gaza. Six months is far too long.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association
April 4, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association regarding Al Jazeera
The Foreign Press Association calls on the Israeli government to halt its plan to shut down Al Jazeera.
This is a blatant attempt to stifle the media. Shuttering a media outlet is a step that is characteristic of some of the world’s most repressive governments. It is a move that rejects democratic ideals. It also poses a dangerous precedent that could lead the government to shut down other foreign media outlets.
We urge the government to step back from this dangerous move.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association
January 9, 2024
Statement by the Foreign Press Association regarding Supreme Court decision
Israel’s Supreme Court has rejected a petition from the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem to allow independent access for journalists to report in the Gaza Strip.
In a ruling Monday, the court recognized the infringement on the freedom of the press but argued that the restrictions on entry are justified on security grounds. The court accepted Israeli defense authorities’ claims that journalists in Gaza could be put at risk in wartime and endanger soldiers by reporting on troop positions, and that it was too dangerous for Israeli personnel to be present at the border to facilitate press entry to Gaza. The court invited the FPA to ask for access when circumstances change.
The FPA is disappointed in the court’s ruling. Israel’s ban on independent foreign press access to Gaza, for 95 days straight, is unprecedented. The Israeli military’s embedded journalist escorts have been limited to select foreign media, are highly controlled and short in time. We believe Israel’s concerns about reporting on troop positions do not withstand scrutiny at a time when Palestinian journalists continue to operate in Gaza, and when it is vital for foreign press to access areas of Gaza where troops are not present. Contrary to the claim of Israeli authorities and the court, during the war only one foreign journalist has been granted entry into Gaza through Egypt on an escorted visit.
As Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza through its Kerem Shalom crossing, the FPA believes solutions can be found to overcome security concerns and allow journalists to enter Gaza. The FPA believes that even under the current circumstances, the authorities are able to work out a satisfactory arrangement with foreign journalists to better serve all parties.
The FPA will monitor Israel’s policies at the border and will expect independent press access as conditions develop.
The Board of the Foreign Press Association