Tel aviv: Israeli authorities on Thursday denied entry to French journalist Alice Froussard, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale, and deported her to Paris, citing her past criticism of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, Israeli authorities claimed that Froussard had previously made 'anti-Israel' statements, including referring to the war in Gaza as a 'slaughter' and accusing Israel of practicing apartheid. Authorities stated that these positions justified the decision to bar her entry. The French Embassy in Israel expressed dissatisfaction with the move.
The decision came shortly after France announced its own ban, preventing ultranationalist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country over his positions supporting the annexation of the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements in the Gaza Strip. This reflects a period of heightened tensions between the two nations concerning policy stances on the region.
Over recent months, Israel has denied entry to or deported several foreign journalists and activists due to their criticism of the war in Gaza or their support for boycott campaigns targeting Israel. This has raised concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to report from the region.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the decision to deport Froussard and prevent her from entering the occupied Palestinian territory. They described the measure as a violation of press freedom and journalists' right to access information. In a statement, the syndicate said the move was part of a systematic policy aimed at restricting news coverage and preventing documentation of developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The syndicate highlighted that the targeting of Froussard cannot be separated from a broader pattern of measures affecting journalists, including restrictions on field reporting and actions against media institutions. It stated that these actions reflect an escalation in policies impacting media work and are part of ongoing violations against journalists, especially at a time when international calls are increasing for the protection of journalists and the safeguarding of press freedom.