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Foreign journalists vie for the few slots to get into Gaza By Gili Izikovich Tags: israel news, gaza, israel  Since the Israel Defense Forces operation began in the Gaza Strip late last month, Sderot has become a communications hub, mainly for journalists from around the world. Earlier this week the IDF agreed to allow eight journalists into Gaza itself, but the army is still not coming through on its promise despite the increasing pressure. "There are masses of requests," says Noam Katz, director of public relations at the Foreign Ministry. "A reporter from CNN stands there and protests the state's decision on the air." Advertisement There are currently around 400 to 500 foreign journalists in Israel, and since the ground operation began, senior correspondents have begun to stream in. CNN's Christiane Amanpour is at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, the producers of NBC television's "Meet the Press" are here from the United States, as is Bob Simon of CBS' "60 Minutes." The BBC's Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, is also here. Everyone will have to wait for the policy to change and for Israel to allow the media into Gaza to cover the events. In contrast to the open policy that prevailed during the Second Lebanon War, the Defense Ministry decided to close the Strip entirely to the press. This week the matter reached the High Court of Justice. In a compromise, the parties agreed that a limited team of eight journalists would be allowed into Gaza when the Erez crossing opened, for example, to send in humanitarian aid. However, sources in the Foreign Press Association say that since the decision, the crossings have not opened. Catrin Ormestad, who writes for The Economist and a number of Swedish papers, said the Israeli policy was very tough and she did not have much of a chance of being a member of the group of eight because she was not as high-profile as Fox or CNN. Israel says it does not want the foreign press in Gaza due to concerns that something might happen to them that will hamper Israel's operations. "What if one of these media stars gets hurt? Even if it isn't Israel's fault, it will be perceived as fundamental for the Palestinians," an Israeli source said. That is apparently only part of the reason. Keeping the foreign journalists in Israel, sources say, is good for Israel's image because the media is experiencing the war from the Israeli side. As soon as the IDF gets a hold in the Strip, it is expected that the IDF Spokesman will let Israeli and foreign journalists in with the army. For the time being, the only presence documenting events is the spokesman's office. Israel is also being very strict about military censorship. On Saturday night, Channel 2 reported that a journalist from Iranian television in Israel broke censorship rules and an arrest order was issued against him. According to Danny Seaman, the director of the Israel Government Press Office, the reporter had been refused a press card for security reasons. The approach is stricter in general, Seaman explained, because "too many times we have spoken in too many voices. This time it's clear that the system is unified and serious. That was also one of the Winograd Committee's conclusions, but this time there won't be censorship violations that won't be dealt with." Related articles: IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive Livni: Gaza truce would give Hamas legitimacy WATCH: Israeli ground assault in the Gaza Strip underway Gaza invasion won't be short, and it won't be easy Hamas: Gaza will become graveyard for Israeli troops Israel okays call-up tens of thousands of IDF reservists Hezbollah urges Hamas to 'kill as many Israeli soldiers as they can' during Gaza op EU presidency: Israel ground op in Gaza 'defensive not offensive' Tens of thousands rally across Europe against Israel's Gaza offensive Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.   1.   Foreign Journalists 08:39  |  Fredy Ross 05/01/09   2.   Job one for an oppressor? Control the media 08:59  |  Natallie Durson 05/01/09   3.   free press? 09:24  |  john 05/01/09   4.   foreign press 09:36  |  linda 05/01/09   5.   Natallie #2 09:44  |  Eli Wohl 05/01/09   6.   Democracy? 10:05  |  Barnie 05/01/09   7.   NATALIE Complain to Egyptian brothers at the Rafah crossing 10:23  |  PETER SM 05/01/09   8.   # 1 FREDYROSS 11:28  |  Col 05/01/09   9.   Of course they don`t want to be in Sderot - all danger no glory 11:36  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 05/01/09   10.   Wise decision 11:56  |  shlomo 05/01/09   11.   Keep Media Liars Out 13:26  |  Baruch Gold 05/01/09

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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