Monday June 27, Benjamin Netanyahu reversed the announcement made by the GPO that would have barred foreign journalists on board the Freedom Flotilla 2 entry into Israel for up to ten years.According to Haaretz, Netanyahu’s bureau issued a press statement “that the regular policy against infiltrators and those who enter Israel illegally not be implemented.”
They also stated that “members of the Israeli and international media will be attached to Israel Navy vessels in order to create transparency and credible coverage of the events.’
Oren Helman, director of Israel’s Government Press Office, stated on Sunday that any journalist on the flotilla would not be allowed into Israel for up to ten years and would be deemed an illegal infiltrator.
On Sunday, the GPO stated that any foreign journalist wishing to report on the Gaza Flotilla could enter legally through the port of Ashdod.
In response to the GPO’s statement, the Foreign Press Association stated that barring foreign journalist’s on the flotilla ‘raises serious questions about Israel’s commitment to freedom of the press.’
The Foreign Press Association was pleased to hear Netanyahu’s repeal of the GPO’s statement.
