Dutch journalist union urges Israel not to block entry of journalists to Gaza

By Selman Aksunger

AMSTERDAM (AA) – A Dutch journalist union has urged Israel not to block entry of journalists to Gaza.

The Dutch Society of Editors-in-Chief called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow international media to enter Gaza, the society said in a letter late Wednesday.

Blocking the entry of journalists to the region violates freedom of the press, which is crucial for accurate reporting, especially in times of war, it added.

“Although almost a year has passed since the war began, the Israeli government is still blocking international journalists from entering Gaza to report independently,” it said.

Noting that journalists in Gaza work in very difficult conditions that endanger their lives, it said: “We call on the Israeli government to continue its commitment to freedom of press by allowing independent access to Gaza for international media while fulfilling its obligations to protect journalists."

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 41,500 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and more than 96,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.