Israel Denies Entry to Four European Journalists
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Israel denied entry to four foreign journalists last week, including French reporter Sylvain Merkadeer, whose visa was canceled. The journalists were reportedly meant to cover the Israeli elections. Three other journalists from Italy, Germany, and Britain were also initially denied entry, with one questioned about genocide in Gaza. Earlier this month, a researcher critical of the Gaza war was also denied entry.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel denied entry to four foreign journalists last week, including French reporter Sylvain Merkadeer.
- The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority canceled Merkadeer's visa shortly after issuing it.
- Three other journalists from Italy, Germany, and Britain were also denied entry.
- One British journalist was questioned about genocide in Gaza before being allowed entry.
- A researcher critical of the Gaza war was denied entry earlier this month.
Last week, Israel denied entry to four foreign journalists, most recently French reporter Sylvain Merkadeer. The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority canceled his entry visa shortly after it was issued. Merkadeer's newspaper, L'Humanité, which is close to the French Communist Party, stated that he was scheduled to cover the Israeli elections. The paper noted this was the first time authorities had prevented a journalist from entering a country. L'Humanité reported that Israeli authorities did not respond to its inquiries, and Haaretz newspaper also stated on Tuesday that the Population and Immigration Authority declined to comment. L'Humanité has published reports over the past two years, based on civil society investigations, alleging France continues to supply arms to Israel, contradicting French government claims. The newspaper also reported last week that the French Foreign Minister announced an investigation into these claims and that the government had taken temporary measures to halt arms supplies to Israel. Haaretz reported that the Israeli military had previously arrested Merkadeer in Syria and released him after questioning, stating at the time that he had approached Israeli soldiers. Israel also denied entry last week to three journalists from Italy, Germany, and Britain. During the interrogation of British journalist Sekunder Kramani, Israeli investigators asked if he believed Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. He was later allowed to enter after intervention by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier this month, Israeli authorities denied entry to Jewish-American researcher Sophia Goodfriend due to her social media posts criticizing the war and alleged genocide in Gaza.
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