Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Israeli Government's refusal of media access to Gaza breaches international norms.
Conclusion
The Israeli Government’s refusal to allow media access to Gaza to report on the war is a breach of internationally recognised norms. Journalists’ work will be crucial as an informational basis for any long-term findings regarding the legality of the conduct of the war. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating it urges Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access to Gaza and has repeatedly called on Israeli authorities to ensure media workers can operate freely and safely.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with this recommendation. We urge Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza. Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively. We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. We also strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers, especially the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions. We have repeatedly called on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem – local and foreign alike - can conduct their work freely and safely. A Palestinian State Recommendation 7