Index:
Services of the Foreign Journalists Department
Accreditation
GPO Departments and Contact Information
Additional Information

Services of the Foreign Journalists Department

In addition to providing press cards and accreditation, the Department acts as a liaison with leading Israeli personalities, spokespeople, lawmakers, officials and academics. When deemed appropriate, the Division organizes press tours to areas in the news and of feature interest to help familiarize correspondents with an on-site view of the areas in question. When possible, the Department is also able to coordinate elements of a correspondent's program, and background information is made available. From time to time, the Department also organizes special seminars on newsworthy topics.

In addition, the Department has a wide range of materials and publications by a range of government and private bodies, including economic, culture, tourism and security updates.

Journalists wishing to subscribe to the GPO's English language email service should send their request, including name, press card number and organization to gponews@netvision.net.il.

The GPO is comprised of 4 divisions:

1. Department of Foreign Journalists
2. Department of Arabic Press
3. News Department for Spokesmen and Communications
4. Photography and Video Department

Accreditation

A press card from the Government Press Office is available to foreign journalists working on assignment for a recognized news organization (Newspaper, Television, Radio) covering real time news (see criteria). The press card facilitates entrance to Government buildings, press conferences, and access across IDF checkpoints and Police lines.
Please note that entry into the Knesset's press gallery requires a GPO press card and prior coordination with our office.
Please note documentaries, filmmakers and production companies can receive services, advice and help from the GPO but not press cards.

You are required to submit the following:
 
1. An official, dated letter of assignment in English signed by the chief editor. The letter should state the nature and the duration of your assignment in Israel.*
2. Valid press credentials from country of origin.
3. One non-returnable passport-size photograph.
4. Your passport plus one copy of your passport.
5. A 50 shekels administration fee per application.  This can be paid either online or at any Post Office, into the GPO post office account (branch 001, account number 0-24696-5). An online credit card payment can also be made at our offices. An official receipt of this transaction must be provided.

*Due to the proliferation of today's media, you may represent a media outlet we are not familiar with. It is recommended you contact your local Israeli Embassy or Consulate or your national Embassy here in Israel. In such cases it is necessary to obtain a recommendation that you are a recognized journalist and they are familiar with your organization. Furthermore, it may be necessary to provide copies of your recently published work.

Upon presentation of these documents the journalist should fill out a press card application form and a signed declaration of the military censor (Censorship is a function of the Israel Defense Forces and not the GPO).

Once these criteria have been fulfilled we are able to issue a press card for the duration of your stay. Technical crews (sound and camera) are limited to a 2 week pass.

The Government Press Office reserves the right to consider any application submitted by either local or foreign press for a period of 90 days before a final decision is made and are under no obligation to issue accreditation.

We have no doubt that meeting these criteria would be in no way prohibitive for a professional member of the media.

Enjoy your stay here in Israel!

GPO Departments and Contact Information

The Director of the GPO is Daniel Seaman. The Director's direct telephone number is 02-5007502, and his direct fax is 02- 6257886. The Director's secretary is Noa Arazi.

Department of Foreign Journalists

Sharon Goldhammer - Coordinator for Permanent Press,
Office: 02-5007516, Fax: 02-6257886, Cell: 050-6205288, Email: sharon@press.pmo.gov.il
Pnina Aizenman - Foreign Press Liaison for Visiting Journalists,
Office: 02-5007514/5, Cell: 050-6205800, Email: pnina@press.pmo.gov.il

Department fax: 02-6235897
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:30 -16:00

Arabic Press Department

Dr. Fawaz Kamal – Director, Arabic Press Department, 02-5007504; Cell: 050-6205427
Roula Manassa-Basal – Branch Head, Arabic Press Department, 02-5007506: Cell: 050-6205380
Department fax: 02-6233036
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:00 -16:00

News Department for Spokesmen and Communications

The English News Department prepares and translates press releases, announcements, communiqués, etc. from different government ministries. It provides a daily summary from the Hebrew press and editorials.

Andy Luterman, Director, 02-5007524; Cell: 0506-205432
Efraim Roseman, News Editor, 02-5007512
E-Mail: gponews@netvision.net.il
Department Fax: 02-6233388
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:00 - 16:00

The Hebrew News Department receives incoming Hebrew-language communiqués, press announcements, schedules and notifications of press conferences issued by government ministries and public institutions and transmits them, both electronically and in print, to Israeli journalists. The unit is also responsible for the accreditation of Israeli journalists.

Orna Adelberg-Kasher, Senior Editor
Office: 02-5007518; Cell: 0506-205434; Email: orna@press.pmo.gov.il
Vered Kopolovich, Editor 02-5007519
Department Fax: 02-6233388
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:00 - 16:00

Photography and Video Department

Avi Ohayon, Director and Official Photographer, Cell: 0505-302326
Ilana Dayan, Administration and Inquiries 02-5007555/526/527
Moshe Milner, Official Photographer
Amos Ben Gershom, Official Photographer
Einat Anker, Photo Archives, 02-5007529
Sharon Revach, Internet
Mark Neiman, Photo Lab.
Yoram Benita, Head of Video Unit, 02-5007538/9; Cellular 0506-205267
Leon Hershko, Video Supervisor
Itai Beit-On, Video Editor
Roey Avraham, Official Cameraman

Department Email: gpophoto@press.pmo.gov.il
Department Fax: 02-6241407
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 08:30 - 13:30

The Government Press Office maintains one of the largest digital photo archives in Israel and the world. Located on the 3rd floor of Beit Agron, it is able to supply journalists, for a nominal fee, with photographs that chronicle the history of the State of Israel. Our archives are supplemented daily by a team of photographers who are sent to cover all major state, diplomatic, political and cultural events in Israel, as well as major visits abroad by the President and Prime Minister of Israel. The Photography Department is also able to process overseas orders by e-mail, on CD, and as hard copy.

Please visit the Photo archives website:
(It is possible to order photographs through the website) www.mof.gov.il/gpo

Additional Information

Foreign Ministry

Yigal Palmor, Spokesman, 02-5303555; 050-6203277 / Paging 03-6106666, 26668
Tsipi Eliahu, Secretary, 02-5303343

Hours: Sunday - Thursday 08:00-16:00
Website: www.mfa.gov.il

The Spokesman of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs holds regular briefings and will be happy to arrange meeting with relevant desk officials. Please contact the appropriate spokesman for further details.

I.D.F. Spokesman's Office

- Brig.-Gen. Avi Benayahu IDF Spokesman
Tel: 03-569-0922/3/4 Fax: 03-5698222
- Maj. Avital Leibovitz, Foreign Press Branch,
Tel: 03-6080238, Fax: 03-6080312, Paging: 03-6106666, 72278.
- The News Desk: (available 24 hours a day) for news and queries and assistance for media in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Tel: 03-6080245/8.
- Capt. Noa Meir, North America Desk
Tel: 03-6080317/8, Fax: 03-6080312, Paging: 03-6106666, 74061.
- Cpl. Hernan Gavrovich, Latin America Desk
Tel: 03-6080234, Fax: 03-6080312.
- Capt. Benjamin Rutland, Europe and Pacific Desk: (Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Australia). Phone: 03-6080325, Fax: 03-6080312. 

Hours: All week 24 hours a day
Website: http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/

Journalists who have been granted government press cards may submit inquiries and requests directly to the IDF Spokesman, or one of the appropriate officers under his command.

Military Censorship Office, Press and Communications Division

Beit Sokolov, Tel Aviv

Col. Sima Vaknin-Gil, Chief Censor, Tel: 03-5228541, 03-6962538;
Lt. Col. Ron Karnielli, Tel: 03-6080227/06, Fax: 03-5693494.

Openning Hours: 24 hours a day including Saturday and holidays.

Beit Agron, Jerusalem

Lt. Col. Avi Rozali Tel: 02-6253974 02-5694520, Fax: 02-6245199.

Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday 07:45-00:00, Fridays 07:45 - 18:00. Holiday eve 07:45-13:00, Saturday evenings and after holidays, 19:00-00:00.

The Military Censor is interested in information relating to the security of the State of Israel. All journalists applying for accreditation of Government Press Office cards are requested to sign a form whereby they undertake to abide by the rules of the Military Censor which are designed to safeguard this security.

Foreign Press Association

Chairman: Simon McGregor-Wood
Executive Secretary: Glenys Sugarman, Tel: 03-6916143, Fax: 03-6961548,
Mobile: 0547-545-831

The Foreign Press Association is the biggest professional organization representing journalists employed by foreign press media in the Middle East. Their membership includes reporters, photojournalists from 30 countries who work for news and photo services, newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The FPA aims to foster the professional interests of its members and to represent its members, collectively and individually. The FPA organizes pool reporting of events that are not open to general coverage and travel with leaders where possible.
Members are listed in the annual FPA directory, Who is Who in the Foreign Press which is often used by organizations as a mailing list for news released.