"Journalism permits for Gaza are granted by Israel, and Hamas secondarily can grant its own permit to journalists. Israel has blocked journalists from entering Gaza, not Hamas. The article you link to does not substantiate the claim you are making."
April 2, 2024
To:
Sandra E. Martin, Globe and Mail
Dear Sandra E. Martin,
I am writing to alert you to an error in your recent article, “Can we trust news from wire services?”
You write that “while both Israel and Gaza have strictly limited journalists’ access, AFP continues to have 50 staff stationed in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.” However, “Gaza” is not a state nor a government. Gaza is governed by Hamas, but occupied under Israeli effective control, according to international law. Journalism permits for Gaza are granted by Israel, and Hamas secondarily can grant its own permit to journalists. Israel has blocked journalists from entering Gaza, not Hamas. The article you link to (here) does not substantiate the claim you are making.
I believe this issue merits a correction.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East