Israel court gives landmark ruling on Palestinian reporters ban

By: Ahmad Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: In a landmark ruling, highest court of Israel said Sunday it was illegal for the government to routinely deny press credentials to all Palestinian reporters on the grounds that they were a potential security threat.

The High Court of Justice made the ruling in cases brought by global news and information company Reuters Group Plc and Al-Jazeera television station.

A panel of three judges said in the ruling the Government Press Office had no right to deny press cards to Palestinian journalists once they had been given security clearance to enter Israel and work there.

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