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May 11, 2026 – General –
Press freedom organizations have condemned Israel’s decision to bar Spanish journalist Queralt Castillo from entering the country, warning that the move reflects growing pressure on foreign reporters covering Israeli policies and the war in Gaza. The case has intensified concerns among media rights advocates over what they describe as increasing restrictions and public targeting of journalists viewed as critical of the Israeli government.
According to reports from Reporters Without Borders, Castillo, an independent Spanish journalist specializing in international affairs, migration, and human rights, applied in January for accreditation through Israel’s Government Press Office to report from the region. After months without a final response, Israeli authorities reportedly informed her that not only had her press credentials been denied, but she was also prohibited from entering the country.
The controversy escalated after Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism publicly circulated allegations accusing Castillo of promoting antisemitic and anti-Israel content and supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Officials reportedly cited social media posts, article excerpts, and reposted online content as part of the justification for denying her access.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision, arguing that publicly identifying and discrediting journalists in connection with visa denials represents a form of intimidation incompatible with international standards protecting press freedom. The organization warned that Castillo’s case could signal broader restrictions affecting other foreign correspondents seeking to report from Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
RSF also stated that it had documented additional cases involving European journalists whose visas or travel authorizations had reportedly been revoked or denied by Israeli authorities since mid-2025. Advocacy groups say these incidents suggest a tightening approach toward reporters perceived as critical of Israeli government policies or military operations.
The case has also sparked debate in Spain, where media organizations condemned what they described as mounting legal and political pressure against journalists covering Israel and Palestine. Press freedom advocates argue that restricting access to reporters undermines independent international coverage at a time when scrutiny of conflict-related reporting remains exceptionally high.
Israeli authorities have defended measures against individuals accused of promoting antisemitism or supporting boycott campaigns, maintaining that entry decisions fall within national security and immigration policy frameworks. Nevertheless, media rights organizations continue to warn that barring journalists based on critical reporting or political expression risks eroding global press freedom protections and limiting independent coverage of the region.
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