Reporters heading to Israel face denials: Spanish journalist barred hours before flight

Israel revoked the entry permit of a Spanish journalist only hours before she was due to fly, the news website elDiario.es said. Its Middle East correspondent, Francesca Cicardi, is the fifth foreign journalist to be denied entry to Israel within the last two weeks.

Key facts

• Who: Francesca Cicardi, Middle East correspondent for elDiario.es
• What: her visa/entry permit was revoked, and she was denied entry to Israel
• When: she was notified a few hours before her flight on Thursday; the report was published on 23 October 2026
• How many affected: the fifth foreign journalist denied entry to Israel in the last two weeks
• Context: continuing restrictions on foreign journalists covering Israel's elections

What happened?

elDiario.es said its Middle East correspondent was told shortly before her flight that her visa had been revoked. The report, published on 23 October 2026, describes the move as part of continuing restrictions on foreign journalists covering Israel's elections.

No explanation for the revocation of Cicardi's permit is stated in the report.

Who is affected?

The restrictions concern foreign journalists seeking to enter Israel to cover the country's elections, and the report says they fall particularly on those working for outlets critical of the government. Cicardi is identified as the fifth foreign journalist denied entry to Israel in the last two weeks.

Why is this happening?

The report describes the limits as applying to foreign press coverage of Israel's elections, with outlets critical of the government facing particular restrictions. No further reasoning or official statement is included.

What this means for travellers

Anyone travelling to Israel on a press assignment should be aware that entry permits for foreign journalists have been revoked shortly before travel, including in the days immediately before the election. The report gives no application procedure, fee or notice period for such revocations.

No further cases, dates or decisions are announced in the report; any developments on foreign press access to Israel's elections remain to be seen.