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December 02, 2025 – Palestine/France –
Journalist unions in France have filed a formal complaint against Israel’s authorities, alleging systematic obstruction of press activity in Gaza and the West Bank — a move underscoring mounting global concern about press freedom in the conflict.
On November 26, 2025, the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) submitted a complaint to France’s national anti-terror prosecutor’s office (PNAT), accusing Israeli authorities of orchestrating “an organised, systematic and prolonged” campaign to prevent foreign media — including French reporters — from entering Gaza freely.
According to the complaint, since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, no foreign journalist has been allowed unobstructed access to Gaza. The restrictions, combined with what unions describe as “ruthless repression” of Palestinian and independent journalists on the ground, amount to what they call an unprecedented “media blackout” during an active armed conflict.
The legal brief does not single out individuals, but targets multiple levels of authority — including military, police, customs, administrative services, and even civilian actors such as settlers — alleging that these actors collectively carry out the rights violations.
Testimonies collected from journalists describe repeated cases of denied access, confiscation of equipment, arbitrary expulsions, detentions, and even physical harassment while trying to report from occupied territories. In some instances, journalists reported being pursued by armed groups.
The unions argue that such actions not only undermine journalists’ rights but also violate international laws protecting press freedom and rights to information during wartime. By complaining, they hope to trigger a criminal investigation in France into what they describe as possible “war crimes” against journalists.
For many observers, this legal effort marks a milestone — the first time major journalist organizations have invoked French judicial mechanisms to hold a foreign state accountable for alleged assault on press freedom in an active conflict zone. The outcome could influence future attempts by media groups worldwide to challenge barriers obstructing independent journalism in war-torn regions.
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