Israel to allow small number of foreign journalists into Gaza

[laststeamtrain]

Source: Guardian

Israel to allow small number of foreign journalists into Gaza

Arrangement could become a permanent restriction on international media's access to besieged territory
Toni O'Loughlin in Jerusalem
guardian.co.uk, Friday 2 January 2009


Israel says it will allow up to eight people from the foreign media to enter the Gaza Strip when it next opens its Erez crossing to the besieged Palestinian territory for humanitarian purposes.

The arrangement, which comes two months after Israel began banning foreign journalists from entering Gaza, could become a permanent restriction on the international media's access.

"This was the arrangement agreed upon by Israel's high court and this is the arrangement that will take place from now on," said Major Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israeli military's civil administration in the West Bank and Gaza.

Asked if foreign journalists would be given unrestricted access in the future, Lerner said: "It doesn't look like it's going to be possible for the time being."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/02/israel-gaza...

[thunder rising]

1. If Israel is so righteous WTF are they so afraid of?

[dipsydoodle]

2. About time too.

[Jefferson23]

3. Pathetic excuses, they should be ashamed.

[Better Believe It]

4. Who are they to dictate what journalists may or may not enter Gaza?

Are they now claiming that Gaza is part of Israel?

[JuniperLea]

5. Good question... eom

[Better Believe It]

6. In a few years most Americans will support Palestine and oppose Israel

Public opinion is turning around and the policies of Israel's extreme right-wing regimes will speed that change.

[Poll_Blind]

9. Israel's days of pretending to speak for worldwide Jewry are numbered. In...

...10-20 years (at the very most) the political climate will have changed to much harsher than it is now and it will be even more difficult for Diasporic Jews to identify with the hardline Orthodox and culture of machismo worship (America and Israel, among others I'm sure, are in dire need of cultural therapy in a big way).

  That's going to be an interesting, interesting situation- and the blowback will be terrifying.

  Do not be surprised when the idea of a second Jewish state begin circulating. (Is it really that astonishing a concept? If so, why?)

PB

[bobshin]

13. I have avoided educating myself about this conflict most of my life...

I finally folded and started reading stuff. After reading up on what Israel has done- beyond what they did in the 40's- it is embarrassing as an American to realize how my country has rewarded this terrorist "nation" for so long. It seems there is some unspoken fear of insulting the Jewish community by criticizing or pulling support from Israel. But all the Jewish-American people I've ever had conversations with either don't want to talk about it or are deeply against Israel's methodology. There is some sort of gross manipulation going on and the Palestinians seem to be the brunt of a deadly game.

Something that was just sent to me...

http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com /

[Jefferson23]

14. An essential document to read is the decision of the IJC in the Hague.

This was back in 2004, unfortunately, the Palestinians do not have leadership and this victory for them was essentially thrown in the toilet so to speak,imo. The United States has a shameful record here, as an American, I pray our new president will have the integrity to do what past presidents have not. Here is a link to an article on the decision, http://www.wrmea.com/archives/Oct_2004/0410010.html

[Howardx]

7. Israel to allow small number of foreign journalists into Gaza

where they will be "accidentally" killed.

[Poll_Blind]

8. 8 "people" (3-4 crews?) for 1.4 million. Israel doesn't want too many eyes on the killing jar.

  Think about the effort required to keep the international press almost (if not) entirely away from 1.4 million people. Since they made it clear it was 8 "people" this is probably going to be just a few reporters and their camera and maybe sound people. 4 crews at the very, very most. That's the most the international press can possibly get in there.

That's 1 camera crew for every 350,000 Gaza residents.

They are very reluctant to give the world a clear view of what's going on in Gaza.

If I were doing the same things the Israeli government was, I wouldn't want anyone to see either, frankly.

Israel can do better, but it's doubtful they will.

PB

[mbperrin]

10. when it next opens its Erez crossing to the besieged Palestinian territory for humanitarian purposes

Weasel words - when will they open this crossing for humanitarian purposes? 2012? Later?

Nothing to hide? Let the journalists in!

[EFerrari]

11. What cr@p. Are these journalists smuggling in rockets?

[Duckhunter935]

12. There should be many more

Will Hamas let have free access to all parts of Gaza or will they only be allowed to see staged areas?