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November 20, 2008

News Execs Criticize Israeli Ban on Journalists in Gaza
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Executives from the Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, BBC, CNN
and other news organizations have signed a letter criticizing the
Israeli government’s decision to ban journalists from entering Gaza. In
a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the executives wrote, "We are
gravely concerned about the prolonged and unprecedented denial of access
to the Gaza Strip for the international media.” Israel has virtually
sealed off the Gaza Strip and cut off aid and fuel shipments. A
spokesperson for Israel’s Defense Ministry said Israel was displeased
with international media coverage, which he said inflated Palestinian
suffering and did not make clear that Israel’s measures were in response
to Palestinian violence.



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