Middle East: Israel refuses "taz"

Israel has denied a work visa to the taz correspondent, Serena Bilanceri. The Israeli government has also refused her entry, the newspaper reported according to dpa. "We consider this a significant infringement on freedom of the press. The government (of Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is thus departing from the foundations of the democratic rule of law," the taz explained. No reason for the decision has been provided so far. Several Israeli media outlets reported on the case. According to this, it concerns the journalist's reports and comments on settler violence in the West Bank and the situation in the Gaza Strip, in which she accused Israel of "apartheid" and called for measures against the country. The Jerusalem Post quoted the Director-General of the Diaspora Ministry, Avi Cohen Scali, saying: "Anti-Israel actors and those who defame Israel should not set foot in the country." He also said, according to the information: "We will not tolerate calls for a boycott of Israel under the guise of professional journalism." Problems with entry and exit in the past The editor-in-chief of the taz explained that Bilanceri had not called for a boycott of the State of Israel at any point. "It is unacceptable that the Israeli government takes legitimate criticism of Israel's actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, also presented by the EU, as a reason to restrict freedom of the press." According to the information, the journalist, who has been the taz's official correspondent for Israel and the Palestinian territories since June, had already had problems with entry and exit to Israel in the past. So, last year her laptop was examined for explosives and returned destroyed. "She is currently staying in Jordan, from where she has been denied re-entry to Israel," the taz reported. The organization Reporters Without Borders accused the Israeli government of attacking freedom of the press with the refusal of entry. If journalists are prevented from working due to critical reporting or comments, this is incompatible with democratic principles and the obligation to protect freedom of the press, said CEO Christian Mihr in a statement. "Criticism of the Israeli government, the occupation of the West Bank, or the humanitarian situation in Gaza is not evidence of a lack of journalistic independence."