Foreign Press Association Condemns Israel Flotilla II Threats
By KUNA
The Foreign Press Association (PFA) in Israeli on Sunday condemned the Israeli government threats to journalists participating in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, expected later this week.
In an official statement, the FPA demanded the Israeli government to reverse its threats to journalists covering the Gaza flotilla.
“The move sends a chilling message to the international media and raises serious questions about Israel’s commitment to freedom of the press,” the statement reads.
“Journalists covering a legitimate news event should be allowed to do their jobs without threats and intimidation.” Earlier Sunday, Government Press Office Director Oren Helman said that journalists covering the flotilla aboard the participating ships will face serious sanctions, including denial of entry into Israel for ten years and their equipment being impounded.
“Participation in the flotilla is an intentional violation of Israeli law and is liable to lead to participants being denied entry into the State of Israel for ten years, to the impoundment of their equipment and to additional sanctions,” Helman said.
He urged representatives of the foreign press in Israel to avoid “taking part in this provocative and dangerous event”.
