Jerusalem, June 27(ANI): The Foreign Press Association has accused Israel of using "threats and intimidation" to stop media coverage of a 10-ship flotilla scheduled to sail to the Gaza Strip this week.
The Foreign Press Association, which represents the international media in Israel, said the threat to punish journalists covering the Gaza flotilla raised serious questions about Israel's commitment to press freedom.
"Journalists covering a legitimate news event should be allowed to do their jobs without threats and intimidation. We urge the government to reverse its decision immediately," the Guardian quoted the statement as saying.
The ships would sail in protest against Israeli restrictions on Gaza and to commemorate Israel's interception of last year's flotilla, killing nine Turkish participants.
Israel has warned that journalists participating in the flotilla would be banned from Israel for 10 years, as well as facing confiscation of equipment and other measures.
In a letter to editors, the Government Press Office Director Oren Helman wrote that the flotilla had been organised by western and Islamist extremists:
"The flotilla intends to knowingly violate the blockade that has been declared legally and is in accordance with all treaties and international law", the letter read.(ANI)
|
|
Comments:
