Israeli Police Build Files on Foreign Journalists, Recommend Bans – Report

First published in The Palestine Chronicle | May 20, 2026

Israeli occupation authorities have reportedly monitored foreign journalists critical of Israeli policies and used their reporting as grounds to recommend entry bans, according to an investigation published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The report centered on Italian freelance journalist Alessandro Stefanelli, whose reporting on the occupied West Bank and Palestinian communities became part of a police dossier later used to deny him entry.

The revelations raised new concerns over press freedom and restrictions placed on journalists documenting Israeli policies in occupied Palestinian territories.

Denied Entry

According to Haaretz, a police document reviewed by the newspaper examined several articles and social media posts by Stefanelli before recommending he be denied access.

Stefanelli has written for international publications including The Atlantic, Libération, La Repubblica and La Stampa.

The journalist reportedly entered and left Israel multiple times without issue since 2023. However, last year he received notice that his visa had been revoked and was instructed to contact Israeli authorities.

After receiving no explanation, Stefanelli later attempted to enter through Jordan via the Allenby Bridge crossing, where he was detained and questioned by Israeli authorities.

After several hours of interrogation, he was informed that he would not be allowed entry and was returned to Jordan.

Documents cited by Haaretz reportedly stated he had been referred for a security investigation.

Reporting as Evidence

According to the report, Israeli police classified Stefanelli as a journalist providing what they described as “one-sided coverage” of Israel.

The dossier reportedly included links and screenshots from articles and social media posts.

Among the material cited was a photo essay documenting the lack of bomb shelters in unrecognized Bedouin communities in the Naqab region.

Another cited article reportedly examined environmental pollution and labor rights violations in an industrial zone near Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank.

Police documents also reportedly referred to accusations that Israel maintains an apartheid system in the West Bank.

Hebrew reports cited by Quds News Network indicated that additional reporting and social media content was later submitted during legal proceedings related to Stefanelli’s appeal.

The documents reportedly included reports on developments in the occupied West Bank and social media posts discussing settler violence.

‘Accusations Are Ridiculous’

Stefanelli rejected the allegations against him and criticized the treatment of his reporting as a security issue.

“These accusations are ridiculous in the extreme — they put me on the same list as terrorists,” he told Haaretz.

He said the images and reporting cited by authorities reflected material any journalist could document in the occupied West Bank.

The reports have renewed debate regarding Israeli restrictions on journalists, particularly those covering occupation policies and conditions facing Palestinians.

The allegations also come amid longstanding criticism by press freedom organizations over restrictions affecting local and international media operating in occupied Palestinian territories.

Source: PC