Piers Morgan Calls Out Israeli President For Attacking Press Freedom, Demands Independent Media Access To Gaza
Piers Morgan took his journalistic protest directly to Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday as he raised Israel’s refusal to allow international media outlets into Gaza and called out the attacking of press freedoms at home.
The veteran journalist made the case that if humanitarian conditions in Gaza are not as dire as the United Nations and medical volunteers on the ground claim and are, in fact, “invented to denigrate Israel” as Israeli officials have said, then allowing international media organisations access to the territory would help Israel’s case. He also raised concerns about the treatment of foreign media outlets reporting on the conflict and based in Israel.
Speaking to Herzog during an interview on his show Piers Morgan Uncensored, the host began: “Here is the problem, I think, if I may say as a journalist to you, speaking frankly. One of the problems Israel has is that the United Nations says there are widespread humanitarian issues. I’ve had doctors from hospitals near Rafah [on the show] saying there are hundreds of patients coming in on a daily basis who are suffering now from famine-related illness and disease.”
He continued: “Everyone is saying one thing. You’re saying another. You’re saying it’s all nonsense. It’s all invented to denigrate Israel, but at the same time, you won’t allow journalists, independent journalists, to go in and see it for themselves. And in fact, what you’re doing as a country…”
Herzog attempted to interrupt, but Morgan wanted to pointedly note the interference with journalists in Israel.
“If I can finish my question,” Morgan raised his voice. “What you’re doing as a country is, it seems to me, is that you’re also having a secondary attack on freedom of the press.”
He added: “And the reason I say that is you shut down Al Jazeera in Israel. You recently, this week, confiscated equipment from the Associated Press, which you’ve now had to hand back. And you still won’t let foreign journalists go [into Gaza].”
Rounding to his point, Morgan said: “I think that if you really want people to believe what Israel’s version of events is, surely it’s now incumbent on Israel to say, this far into this war, we are now going to allow foreign independent journalists to go in.”
In response Herzog said that he “was under the impression that people see and report.” He underlined that the Israeli authorities coordinate with “UN agencies and the international rescue operations.” The president also said that he was aware that “the Gazan people are suffering” and “going through a terrible ordeal.”
He continued: “It’s very sad. It’s a real tragedy and this havoc was brought upon them by Hamas. It’s a real tragedy. And I sincerely hope that now we will be able to see a different rule over Gaza that will bring hope to them, the Palestinians, our neighbours, and to all the entire region.”
Addressing Morgan’s frustration at media access and emphasising the dangers present in Gaza, he added: “But, I can’t, in a war zone, unfortunately, where people are dying all the time in war and there’s battles going on and huge terror infrastructure, I don’t know what’s allowed and what’s not allowed in terms of bringing in the press. But I’ll pass on your request and idea as well because I take you seriously and thank you.”
Morgan thanked him for offering to raise it, taking the chance to repeat his concern: “Serious journalists who I respect greatly are really getting incensed that they’re not able to do their jobs and I think they should be allowed to.”
Watch above on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
