Foreign Press Association welcomes High Court giving the state final deadline on Gaza access petition

The Foreign Press Association welcomes the High Court’s decision today to give the government a final deadline to respond to petitions demanding free access for media outlets to the Gaza Strip.

The court had originally asked the state for a response by November 23 but granted two extensions. Today it said the state must file a response by January 4, and if it fails to do so by then, the court will issue a decision regardless.

“After two years of the state’s delay tactics, we are pleased that the court’s patience has finally run out,” the FPA says in a statement. “We renew our call for the State of Israel to immediately grant journalists free and unfettered access to the Gaza Strip. And should the government continue to obstruct press freedoms, we hope that the Supreme Court will recognize and uphold those freedoms.”