Israel deports French journalist after minister alleges Hamas support
France said it was assisting journalist Alice Froussard after Israel deported her, while acknowledging Israel’s legal authority to do so.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Israeli authorities deported French journalist Alice Froussard, drawing criticism from press advocates and renewed attention to Israel’s controls on foreign media access during the Gaza war. France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that it was supporting Froussard, while saying Israel had the legal authority to remove her.
No formal explanation for the deportation was announced, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press. Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli later accused Froussard on social media of backing Hamas and said she had argued that the October 7, 2023, attacks should be considered “in context.”
Chikli wrote that he was pleased Froussard was being sent from Ben Gurion Airport to Paris, according to Al Jazeera. The minister’s comments framed the case as a security and political matter, though the report said authorities had not publicly issued an official reason for the deportation.
Press group criticizes decision
The Foreign Press Association condemned the way Froussard was treated. The group said Israel had previously approved her entry before she arrived, according to Al Jazeera and AP.
In its statement, the association said the case fit a pattern in which the Israeli government labels some reporting as “one-sided.” The group’s criticism pointed to broader complaints from international journalists about Israel’s handling of media coverage since the war in Gaza began.
Al Jazeera described Froussard as a journalist who has frequently criticized Israel’s war in Gaza and its policies in the occupied West Bank. The deportation came amid long-running allegations that Israel has restricted reporting on its military operations and the humanitarian toll in Gaza.
Foreign media access remains restricted
Al Jazeera reported that Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza since the start of its military assault nearly three years ago. The war began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The outlet said the restrictions have left Palestinian journalists inside Gaza to carry much of the burden of reporting on the conflict, including their own communities and losses. Al Jazeera also reported that Israel has been accused of killing hundreds of reporters and media workers in the enclave during its siege.
The report linked Froussard’s deportation to wider criticism of Israeli limits on media coverage of Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon. Israel has also faced criticism over moves against media outlets, including restrictions on Al Jazeera’s operations, according to the outlet.
The French Foreign Ministry did not dispute Israel’s legal power to deport Froussard, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Its statement indicated that Paris was assisting her but did not announce any further diplomatic action.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.