British journalist Secunder Kermani barred from Israel amid widening press crackdown

Israeli authorities barred British journalist Secunder Kermani from entering the country on Sunday as it mounts a clampdown on international journalists reporting on the country. Kermani, Channel 4 News’ foreign affairs correspondent, has covered conflict zones around the world, including Israel’s war on Palestinians. In a post on X, he shared a letter from Israeli authorities notifying him of his ban after he landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. “Just arrived in Tel Aviv for coverage ahead of the Israeli elections,” said Kermani. “Only to be told the Israeli authorities are denying me entry to the country!” The decision was later reversed by Israeli authorities Kermani said in a follow up post on X. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "Thank you for all the messages of support After a very brief stay in immigration detention, the decision has been reversed and I have now been allowed to enter Israel Grateful to all those who offered their help Concerned to hear other journalists have faced similar issues in recent weeks," said Kermani. The reason for the intial ban remains unclear, but last October Kermani investigated the Bnei David academy, a Jewish religious school whose graduates include senior military commanders. His investigation examined how the academy radicalises Israeli soldiers, including through religious teachings invoking the killing of men, women, children and babies in the context of the war on Gaza. Kermani also documented academy leaders calling for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza. His other reports have covered escalating Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as well as rape and sexual abuse of Palestinians held captive by Israel. Wtf! Just arrived in Tel Aviv for coverage ahead of the Israeli elections Only to be told the Israeli authorities are denying me entry to the country! Have reported widely on Israel / Palestine for the past 4 years for @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/gF1yjBJ7jo — Secunder Kermani (@SecKermani) October 11, 2026 Israel has made journalism increasingly dangerous in recent years, particularly for Palestinian reporters. In Gaza, Israel has killed 263 journalists and media workers since it began its genocide in October 2023, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. It continues to prevent foreign journalists from reporting inside the besieged territory. Foreign journalists who previously relied on Western governments for protection have also increasingly faced the ire of Israeli authorities. In June, the Committee to Protect Journalists documented at least six cases of European journalists denied entry or stripped of their travel authorisation over the preceding year. In several cases, authorities cited their critical reporting or public statements. On 9 October 2026, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate and four French journalist unions condemned the attack on AFP photographer Jaafar Ishtayeh near Aqraba. IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger condemned “the complicity of Israeli forces in allowing settlers to assault Palestinian journalists with impunity”. Copyright © 2014 - 2026 . Middle East Eye. All rights reserved. Only England and Wales jurisdiction apply in all legal matters. Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456