Israel expels French journalist Alice Froussard, citing Hamas support; RFI calls it a press freedom violation

The expulsion at Ben Gurion

Alice Froussard, a journalist for Radio France and Radio France Internationale (RFI) who has covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for several years, was detained at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, 10 June, around 10 p.m., roughly thirty minutes after her arrival. She was interrogated by police before being put on a plane back to Paris on Thursday, 11 June. According to RFI, Froussard possessed the required travel authorization and a properly filed press visa application to work in the West Bank.

“I am pleased to announce that, at this very moment, Alice Froussard, a French journalist who supports Hamas and who claims that the October 7 massacre must be seen in its context, is en route from Ben Gurion Airport to Paris.”

Official justifications

The official ban, issued by the Border Control Administration and reviewed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), cites "public security, public safety or public order considerations" as well as "considerations related to the prevention of illegal immigration" as grounds for refusal. Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichaï Chikli stated that Froussard "tried to enter Israel and resume her work here permanently, but the ministry's recommendation was accepted, and the journalist was expelled and put on a plane to France." He added that Israel has "exhausted its patience with Hamas supporters and those who support sanctions and boycotts against it."

Press freedom backlash

RFI issued a statement denouncing the decision as "an obstacle to press freedom." The radio network noted that "Israeli authorities have not transmitted any justification for this decision to RFI" and added that its management "gives its full support to Alice Froussard and protests against this expulsion, which constitutes an obstacle to press freedom and comes in a context of growing difficulties encountered by journalists covering news in the region."

“The expulsion of Alice Froussard from Israel is unjustifiable. The refusal to let her do her job reveals how far Israeli authorities are willing to go to deprive international public opinion of information from Palestine. While they have imposed a media blockade on Gaza for nearly three years, they are now further hindering reporting on the West Bank.”

Diplomatic context

The refusal of entry occurred two days after Paris announced a ban on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering French territory. French authorities reproach Smotrich for, among other things, promoting the annexation of the West Bank. Israel continues to deny independent access to international journalists to the Gaza Strip.