1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to use your position to pressure Israel to immediately lift its ban on journalists entering Gaza. The Foreign Press Association of Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories is actively campaigning to end this restriction, and I believe the United States must join this effort. Independent journalism is essential to understanding what is happening in Gaza. Without press access, the international community relies on limited sources and cannot verify conditions on the ground. This information blackout prevents accurate reporting on humanitarian conditions, civilian casualties, and the impact of military operations. When journalists cannot enter a conflict zone, accountability suffers and the truth becomes harder to discern. The Foreign Press Association has launched a petition campaign and is calling on countries worldwide to intervene. This represents a coordinated effort by the international press community to address what they view as an unjustifiable restriction on media freedom. Press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic values that the United States has long championed globally. I ask that you take concrete action by publicly calling on Israel to allow journalists into Gaza and by raising this issue directly with Israeli officials through diplomatic channels. You should also support any congressional efforts to condition aid on press access or to investigate restrictions on media freedom in conflict zones. The American public deserves accurate information about a conflict involving a close ally that receives significant U.S. military aid. Journalists must be allowed to do their jobs. I urge you to make this a priority and to use whatever leverage is available to ensure that Israel ends this ban immediately.