Israel warns foreign journalists against covering Gaza flotilla

[News_Editor]

Israel warns foreign journalists against covering Gaza flotilla

2011-06-27 04:41:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli government on Sunday warned foreign journalists against boarding a Gaza-bound flotilla to cover the event. The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning raises 'serious questions' about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press.

The 'Freedom Flotilla II' will consist of ten ships carrying more than 500 Palestinian activists from around the world. They will meet in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Tuesday before heading to Gaza in an attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

"This flotilla is a dangerous provocation that is being organized by western and Islamic extremist elements to aid Hamas, which the world defines as an extremist Islamic terrorist organization," said Israeli Government Press Office Director Oren Helman in a letter sent to BNO News and other foreign journalists who regularly cover Israel.

Helman said the Israeli government has instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to prevent the flotilla from reaching its goal. "As the Director of the Government Press Office, I would like to make it clear to you and the media that you represent, that 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 in the letter.

The warning indicates that the Israeli government will make no distinction between Palestinian activists and journalists who are covering the event in their line of duty. "I implore you to avoid taking part in this provocative and dangerous event, the purpose of which is to undermine Israel's right to defend itself and to knowingly violate Israeli law," Helman added.

The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning sends a 'chilling message' to the international media and raises serious questions about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press. "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," FPA said in a statement.

In May 2010, nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed and dozens more were injured when Israeli commandos boarded a ship participating in the 'Freedom Flotilla I'. The incident caused global outrage over alleged excessive force, but Israel has denied that and said its commandos were being attacked.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-27

[Ulysses G.]

Israel is trying to keep journalists from getting in the way should the activists turn violent like they did last time.

[kuffki]

Honestly, it's worse than dealing with kids.

Tell them once, do not do it

Tell them twice do not do it

Tell them 3 times do not do it

and Yet they still do it, get hurt and cry!

Nothing but provocation yet once again only to serve 1 purpose.

[Steely Dan]

The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning sends a 'chilling message' to the international media and raises serious questions about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press. "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," FPA said in a statement.

Attempting to give a dam_n............. Timeout attempt failed. Perhaps the press should be more bothered by Syria where there are 1600 civilian deaths but no press allowed.

[philw]

The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning sends a 'chilling message' to the international media and raises serious questions about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press. "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," FPA said in a statement.

Attempting to give a dam_n............. Timeout attempt failed. Perhaps the press should be more bothered by Syria where there are 1600 civilian deaths but no press allowed.

Obviously neither the Israeli's nor the Syrians like independent witnesses.

Rather put's them on a par with each other it would seem.

[up-country_sinclair]

It's sad to see that this is is what Israel has reduced itself to: thinly veiled threats against members of the free and independent press because they know the gestapo tactics they employed against the previous aid flotilla can't be swept under the rug this time.

[Steely Dan]

I see the moral equivalence crowd are in town again making fools of themselves as per usual. Quite how you can compare 9 deaths aboard the last 'peace flotila' when video evidence shows clearly the Israeli soldiers were attacked with knives and iron bars with the gunning down, abduction and torture of 1600 civilians beggars belief. But whilst the arab oil money buys the press so will it always be. Perhaps a quick referal to Freedom house figures as to how free the press is in Israel compared to any of it's neighbors, which makes the relative size of these moral indignation threads all the more risible.

[Ulysses G.]

Obviously neither the Israeli's nor the Syrians like independent witnesses.

Rather put's them on a par with each other it would seem.

That must be why most of the International press are headquartered in Israel and almost none are in Syria period.

Edited June 27, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[Pakboong]

I see the moral equivalence crowd are in town again making fools of themselves as per usual. Quite how you can compare 9 deaths aboard the last 'peace flotila' when video evidence shows clearly the Israeli soldiers were attacked with knives and iron bars with the gunning down, abduction and torture of 1600 civilians beggars belief. But whilst the arab oil money buys the press so will it always be. Perhaps a quick referal to Freedom house figures as to how free the press is in Israel compared to any of it's neighbors, which makes the relative size of these moral indignation threads all the more risible.

Funny that you should mention this as I have been of the opinion for a while now that Haaretz, which I scan each day, is far less biased toward matters Israeli than the major American News services.

[Credo]

The wording that was used is: "warned foreign journalists against boarding a Gaza-bound flotilla to cover the event."

Probably not very nice of Israel to do this, but a warning is a warning--nothing more.

If things go seriously wrong, the government can say: "We warned you"!

[up-country_sinclair]

Do you think journalists view it as a warning or a threat?

[Credo]

I've known a few journalists and I would guess most of them would take it as a warning. I doubt you will find the high profile reports like CNN's Anderson Cooper covering this story up close and personal.

Such a warning may be counter productive because for a fair number of up-start journalists, this is beginning to sound like a story that just might go somewhere big.

I am not sure if the Israeli government is trying to prevent coverage of the story or if they are warning journalists that they may be in harms way.

[Jingthing]

It's sad to see that this is is what Israel has reduced itself to: thinly veiled threats against members of the free and independent press because they know the gestapo tactics they employed against the previous aid flotilla can't be swept under the rug this time.

Comparing modern Israeli policies to the Nazi Third Reich is considered a manifestation of antisemitism according to the European Union.

[coma]

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence of them slaughtering any unarmed civilian activists that are onboard, as was the case with the Turkish flotilla.

My thoughts and best wishes are with those onboard and I hope that they can accomplish their peaceful, symbolic mission of syupport for the Palestinian people without coming to any harm.

Edited June 27, 2011 by coma

[kuffki]

Stay at home and mind your own business and no harm will come.

Been warned numerous times not to sail- faith is in your own hands

Little like playing with fire, one day will burn yourself.

Surely even pre school kids understand the basics

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence of them slaughtering any unarmed civilian activists that are onboard, as was the case with the Turkish flotilla.

My thoughts and best wishes are with those onboard and I hope that they can accomplish their peaceful, symbolic mission of syupport for the Palestinian people without coming to any harm.

[Jingthing]

Coma, strong words but you somehow fail to mention that those aboard last time were far from all non-violent.

[kuffki]

Coma, strong words but you somehow fail to mention that those aboard last time were far from all non-violent.

That's called selective vision and hearing. Only see and hear what one wants. And if it's not to ones likings- simply twist it

[Ulysses G.]

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence of them slaughtering any unarmed civilian activists that are onboard, as was the case with the Turkish flotilla.

The Turkish mercenaries were armed and provoked a fight. Too bad for the useful idiots aboard.

[philw]

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence of them slaughtering any unarmed civilian activists that are onboard, as was the case with the Turkish flotilla.

The Turkish mercenaries were armed and provoked a fight. Too bad for the useful idiots aboard.

Provocative nonsense UG.

[JUDAS]

Decision under review: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-reviews-threat-to-ban-foreign-journalists-who-board-gaza-flotilla-1.369872

[Scott]

Further provocative posts will be deleted and warnings issued. There are always two sides to every story. We will listen to both.

[Ulysses G.]

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence...

The Turkish mercenaries were armed and provoked a fight.

Provocative nonsense UG.

There is plenty of "photographic evidence" otherwise.

[coma]

Israel just don't want any photographic evidence...

The Turkish mercenaries were armed and provoked a fight.

Provocative nonsense UG.

There is plenty of "photographic evidence" otherwise.

What your Video doesn't show is the mowing down of innocent people by gunfire. Not hand to hand fighting. How convenient for you.

[Pakboong]

Israel issued a retraction this morning and will treat journalists exceptionally as would be the case with most democratic countries.

They no longer plan to bar them from Israel for 10 years or impound their equipment.

[coma]

Israel issued a retraction this morning and will treat journalists exceptionally as would be the case with most democratic countries.

They no longer plan to bar them from Israel for 10 years or impound their equipment.

Israel is admitting that they were wrong for once ? WOW. Now there is a first. Should be more of it.

[Ulysses G.]

What your Video doesn't show is the mowing down of innocent people by gunfire. Not hand to hand fighting. How convenient for you.

If you attack someone with steel pipes and they have a gun, expect to get shot. These Islamic mercenaries were far from "innocent".

Edited June 28, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[kuffki]

Israel issued a retraction this morning and will treat journalists exceptionally as would be the case with most democratic countries.

They no longer plan to bar them from Israel for 10 years or impound their equipment.

And the source for a statement is?

As well as the source of a statement when Israel planned to bar journalists ?

[coma]

What your Video doesn't show is the mowing down of innocent people by gunfire. Not hand to hand fighting. How convenient for you.

If you attack someone with steel pipes and they have a gun, expect to get shot. These Islamic mercenaries were far from "innocent".

If a heavily armed group of men jumped through the roof of your house, you would pick up what ever you could use to defend both yourself and your property. That doesn't men the perp has the right to shoot you dead.

As for your alter ego. Kuff Kuff. I don't play with him anymore. He is your own secret little friend.

[Pakboong]

Israel issued a retraction this morning and will treat journalists exceptionally as would be the case with most democratic countries.

They no longer plan to bar them from Israel for 10 years or impound their equipment.

And the source for a statement is?

As well as the source of a statement when Israel planned to bar journalists ?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/world/middleeast/28israel.html?_r=1

[Ulysses G.]

If a heavily armed group of men jumped through the roof of your house, you would pick up what ever you could use to defend both yourself and your property. your own secret little friend.

There were not in their home. These Islamic mercenaries were on the high seas, tried to run a legal protective blockade and were warned to stop before being boarded. Any country would have stopped them with force if necessary.

Edited June 28, 2011 by Ulysses G.