British journalist Secunder Kermani was temporarily denied entry into Israel upon his arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport early Monday while traveling to cover the upcoming election. Kermani, a foreign affairs correspondent for Britain’s Channel 4 News, received a written notice initially barring him from entering the country but was allowed to proceed several hours later after intervention by Channel 4 and Israeli diplomats.
Kermani, who has extensively reported on Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, revealed that border officials questioned him about his views on whether Israel was committing genocide in Gaza and whether he considered Hamas and Hezbollah to be terrorist organizations. He later raised concerns in a WhatsApp group that includes foreign journalists and Israeli officials, asking if this represents a new policy targeting certain journalists, even those affiliated with mainstream news outlets.
After spending time in a detention facility at the airport, Kermani’s entry was ultimately approved. He expressed apprehension that other journalists might be facing similar difficulties trying to enter Israel in recent weeks. In 2024, Kermani was awarded an Emmy and a BAFTA for Channel 4’s documentary “Inside Gaza: Israel and Hamas at War,” which covered the early stages of the Gaza conflict after October 7.
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) stated it is aware of multiple instances over the past year where journalists have been denied entry or had their permits revoked. According to the FPA, there is evidence suggesting that such decisions were made partly because the journalists’ reporting was perceived as unfavorable toward Israel. The association urged the Israeli government to cease these practices, describing them as incompatible with press freedom.
Israeli authorities have acknowledged that foreign journalists’ past coverage is taken into account when deciding on their entry. Recently, the Diaspora Affairs Ministry cited this rationale in recommending that German journalist Serena Bilanceri be denied entry after she publicly advocated for sanctions against Israel. A similar case involved French journalist Alice Froussard, who was refused entry in June following critical reporting on Israel.
Reports indicate that Israeli police have been systematically reviewing the work of foreign journalists and sharing assessments with immigration authorities to influence entry decisions. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that Kermani’s entry was reviewed upon arrival and approved following examination. The Interior Ministry’s Population and Immigration Authority declined to comment on the issue.