British reporter Secunder Kermani denied entry to Israel as press restrictions tighten

Secunder Kermani, one outlet correspondent for one outlet, was denied entry to Israel after landing at Ben Gurion Airport, where officials presented him with a written ban. He had traveled to cover the upcoming Israeli elections, but the authorities offered no explanation for the restriction. Kermani’s past reporting includes an investigation of the Bnei David religious academy, which he said promotes extremist teachings among Israeli soldiers, and coverage of escalating settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The incident reflects a broader pattern of heightened pressure on journalists, with Gaza’s Government Media Office reporting that 263 journalists and media workers have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023. International bodies have documented multiple cases of European journalists being denied visas or having travel permits revoked over the last year, often linked to critical reporting.