Foreign reporter challenges GPO over visa policy
By Shahar IlanCould a situation arise in which a senior foreign correspondent posted here is arrested as an illegal resident, jailed and then deported? This scenario seems fictional, but what is not fictional is the fact that Joerg Bremer, correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of the most important newspapers in the world, was in Israel for several weeks as an illegal resident. He left Friday for a vacation, and does not know whether he will be allowed back in. A correspondent for another world-class newspaper told Haaretz that he has been in Israel for the past year on a tourist visa, a status that ostensibly bars him from working.
The director of the Government Press Office (GPO), Danny Seaman, said that in the past few years, over 60 foreign journalists have encountered problems in extending their work visas. "There have been many cases when journalists have been illegal residents," he said. "They have my phone number, and if they have a problem they call me."
Those affected are among the longest-serving correspondents, and sometimes the most senior ones. What is special about Bremer's case is that he decided to fight the phenomenon, not just his own private battle. Two weeks ago, the state secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, Georg Boomgaarden (number three in the office), formally appealed to Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Shimon Stein, to resolve the problem. Nothing has been solved.
The story began in 2003 when the Entry into Israel Law was enacted to improve the situation of foreign workers. Previously, such workers were allowed to stay in Israel for two periods of 27 months each, but were required to exit and re-enter the country in the interim. The amendment enabled them to stay in Israel for up to 63 months without having to leave in the middle. Apparently no one noticed that the law would apply to foreign professors and correspondents working here.
Since then, the lives of Israel's foreign reporters have become bureaucratic nightmares, being forced to jump through the hoops of the Population Registry of the Interior Ministry and remain with just a tourist visa, or no visa at all, for months at a time.
Bremer has been posted in Israel for 15 years, and until last year, his work visa was extended as needed without a problem. He applied for another extension in September.
"They told me it would go to a committee that would decide," Bremer said. "I contacted Danny Seaman. He told me: 'Of course you'll get it, but there are some we don't want, and that's why I like the committee.' I told him the motive was political. It's not right for the permit to be a matter for a committee, a favor. The foreign journalists can't have the same status as foreign workers," Bremer said.
A Foreign Press Association source also believes the five-year restriction for work visas can be a tool for getting rid of journalists that the state does not like. "They all blame each other," says a source who tried to broker a solution. "The Foreign Ministry washes its hands of the matter, and doesn't understand why people come to it."
Seaman says the GPO sought a solution, including suggesting the issuing of special visas for journalists, but "each time we approached the final stage, the interior minister was replaced." Seaman notes that the Population Registry's Jerusalem office is stricter than its Tel Aviv counterpart. He says that when a journalist hires an attorney, the Interior Ministry finds a way to issue the visa.
Attorney Richard Bardenstein, who represents several foreign correspondents, says the problem can be solved by issuing guidelines for granting a special status to foreign journalists. He said this could happen if an interior minister remained in office for two or three years.
The legal counsel of Kav La'oved - Workers' Hotline, Dr. Yuval Livnat, believes that journalists have a good chance of winning their case if it goes to court. Another person close to the matter says that turning the issue into a court case could hurt Israel's public image.
According to a response issued by the Population Registry's spokeswoman, the Entry into Israel Law "does not distinguish among the professions of foreign workers, with the exception of home health care. Out of awareness of the issue of foreign reporters, a joint procedure was established with the GPO, according to which requests by journalists who receive the GPO's recommendation to receive an extension of their work visa beyond the five years on the grounds of their professional necessity will be considered thoroughly in a positive spirit and in accordance with circumstances."
Haddad added that "since the procedure was mutually agreed upon, there should be no problems." She rejects the charge that the process violates journalistic freedom. "In every country, work visas are limited in duration."
Seaman confirms that he issues letters to journalists, but says he was "never officially informed that there was a procedure." The Population Registry is known to keep its procedures secret to give itself more room to maneuver.
Now it's getting personal
Government Press Office Director Danny Seaman responded with extreme bluntness to the charges of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung correspondent Joerg Bremer.
He said he finds the storm kicked up by Bremer annoying, because he has yet to receive a definitive answer. "I told him not to make noise," Seaman said. "I kind of don't like his attitude, his concealed threats of intervention by the German government."
The German government did interfere.
"I feel like screwing him over just because of this. What kind of gall is this, for the German government to interfere in Israel's internal affairs? How are journalists different from any other foreign workers?"
He maintains that these problems have a political basis.
"I maintain that he's an idiot. That's ridiculous. If I issued press cards according to content, no one at Haaretz would get a card."
"There are very pro-Israeli journalists who are [also] given problems.
"My approach is starting to be to recommend to everyone not to help him. Now it's not political, it's starting to be personal."
He says that you told him that this arrangement suits you, because it gives you control over the journalists.
"I told him something like that? He's a piece of shit. When there were discussions [over a solution], I said I wasn't willing for the GPO to be the one that decides, so no one could say that there was any scheming. He's just a miserable liar. He's a piece of shit."
Bremer said in response to the above: "Seaman wants journalists to lick his feet. He gets enjoyment from the situation, and uses his power instead of helping. It's harmful to Israel."
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'WE HAVE A KNESSET RUN BY A TOOTHLESS SNAKE WITHOUT AN ORIGINAL IDEA IN HIS HEAD..."says Kate. kate, people in "glass houses should not throw stones-" your description is as ill- tempered and ill- mannered as the people you contend are-if name calling is adolescent and immature,it's your right of freedom of speech.
but when the opposition gets similarly blunt -the opposition is rude rather than crude,which is what Bush and cheney are.one has to understand the art of the languistical use of the word "shit"-if the opposition uses it,it is rude when one uses the descriptive word "shit," oneself, then it suddenly becomes the unrefined truth.For me,the German journalist is probably accuratly described-if journalist were to write any negative reporting in Palastinian territories or Muslim territories ,they would be kidnapped, tortured,and only released if they converted to Islam or killed.
this is nothing new, everybody in the business knows that danny Seaman is a tyrant ridiculous man that thrives on making journalists kiss his ass. you don't get anything from the GPO (or the FPA for that matter) without going through Danny Seaman's favors. but just like most things in this corrupt government, it's all based on personal favors and "who you know" and will never change since people like seaman have the power. the fact that he allows himself to answer in this way publicly shows how "untouchable" he thinks he is (and really is). he even dares to say that if he had more power NO journalist at haaretz would have a press pass!the day people like that will be replaced by professionals will be the beginning of a real change in this country. like someone else said: that is why Israel has lost the public opinion war (the only real war). sad.
the course of history might have been different if instead of 1 with this type of attitude he had met some that were kind to him-just a thought.we are all shaped by our previous experiences-i have to fight to keep down some of the bad moments of my life and not seek revenge.some minds are weaker than others and as you see by example of school situations in the usa they give in to the dark side of the force.we dont need someone to go out of their way to make the rest of the world hate all of us some more.
I know I shouldn't be surprised at this. Seaman is another symptom of the rot that has infected the administration of the state. Whom can he take after? Our president? Our prime minister who seems to be something less than a sterling and honest character? And now we can expect a thuggish Lieberman, known to hit children and lie about not doing it, to be put over us? From the days of King Saul this stiff-necked people has learned nothing. I'm afraid we'll all pay the ultimat price for this. Perhaps we can send all these characters to be ambassadors. They can ape the actions of our ambassador to Australia.
After reviewing the first 20 responses, it is likely that Mr Seaman has disgraced himself. It is certain that he has failed his country and the important position that he holds. This is not a reflection of the ineptness of his bosses but of his own professional failure. It is time for a change.
Exactly the kind of language I would expect from an arrogant Israeli Zionist official in this capacity. This foreign correspondent might fare better were he French or British.
It is sad that a serious official can speak this way, but more offensive that Seaman should use his power in such a way. You don't have to like anyone or their opinion, but in a democratic country that purports free speech, the dissenters have to be tolerated. It just looks better when they don't swear like teenagers who have had too much sugar, or flaunt a power they obviously shouldn't have- I can't believe this is what Israel wants to rest of the world to see and hear! How do they get into such positions using such language?
From the responses its easy to see who Seaman has helped and who has a grudge against him, including the author of the article.
Having lived in many uncivilized countries where visas are a known fact of life, this reporter should count himself lucky being able to live in Israel for 15 years, he must have enjoyed it here. However, shame on our government ministers allowing this individual to use such profanity, and one who heads a bureau where PR SHOULD BE #1 on the list. Perhaps he needs to be replaced with a professional who has had the training as how to speak to people. Please dont give me the excuse that "well, this is Israel" I dont buy it. This ends my volunteering with Hasbara.
How many days would he stay in his job? (in a normal palce....)
Danny Seaman is well-known among the foreign media corps for behaving in an extraordinarily antagonistic and vindictive manner. He has actively sought to make people's lives a misery. It is amazing that the Prime Minister's Office has allowed to him to remain in the job despite numerous, and most importantly, justified complaints. His job is a crucial position which means the damage he has wrought in the last five years will take years to repair. While many think foreign media coverage of the conflict is anti-Israel, it still does not mean that the person hired to facilitate accreditation and other key issues for foreign journalists, should behave in the incredibly unprofessional way Seaman has.
They hate Israel, they criticize it for years but when it come to choosing a country to based their "middle east operation" they don't choose Syria or Jordan, Egypt or even Lebanon ? In Israel the sushi is better, the girl's are prettier, it is a real democracy and they can enjoy life on Tel-Aviv beach yet bitch about "Israeli war crimes" all day long?
I don't believe what I'am reading. How can one just imagine that an official of communication and PMO says things like those. Shame of such "officials". I would like to know that people do not exist in any office in the world.
It is a stonishing that a public servant in charge of adminsitrative affairs regarding foreign reporters should resort to such vulgar language. Does he own teh service? WHat does he take complaints like personal affronts? I am thinking of some dictatorships here. On top of not doing his job of trying to understand that there maybe is a prolem with issuing work visas to correspondants. Seaman should be fired outright. Shalom. Daniel.
I am not at all surprised by the quotes in this article. I have heard Seaman say nearly the exact same things to the face of journalists who were in his office. Danny Seaman's arbitrary, sadistic behaviour toward journalists is well known amongst both the foreign press and Israeli journalists - most of whom are too afraid of his power to lodge a complaint. By creating a hostile relationship with the foreign press over the past five years, Seaman has done untold damage to Israel's reputation. He should be fired immediately.
chapter 3 verse 12 o my people their oppressors are children and women rule over them o my people those that guide you lead you astray and confuse the direction of your paths.
any better, it would appear that the foreign press and Haaretz are working together to oust Mr. Seaman. Did Ilan Shahar quote him on the record? don't all people - regardless of who they are and where they work have opinions in issues or indidviduals they don;t like? Clearly Seaman is not a favorite of the foreign press -- or of Haaretz. Is this because he is a patriot who cares about Israeli security? Speaking of which, (REGARDING # 7) I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA FOR THE SELECTORS AND SECURITY PERSONEL AT BEN GURION AIRPORT TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER. THEY CAUSE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE DUE TO THEIR INTERROGATIONS OF FOREIGNERS - ESPECIALLY JOURNALISTS - LEAVING THE COUNTRY.
Anybody who have been here long enough knows that the GPO and Seaman were very helpfull in the past before they were stripped from any powers to act on our behalf. We all should point out the blame lies within the amateurs who occupy the post as Prime Minister's media advisers and who insist on having the control and last word on every issue dealing with foreign media. Seaman was the only person to be present and assist journalists at the bombarded north while every other Israeli official stayed away, (including the IDF spokesman people who arrived late into the war). Danny is known for his temper but he is a decent person who in general helped the press whenever it was in his ability .The PM office media advisers ,right after Mr. Sharon elections have taken over and ever since that moment everything goes wrong for us. Our ordeal with the visas is to be adressed to the PM office where those who can change the situation are choosing not to act .
The Director of the Government Press Office should be recalled immediately and assigned to the same rehabiltation program being designed for the just recalled Israeli Ambassador to Australia. Both are in need of special sensitivity training for a period of not less than 2 years. Israel needs, and certainly deserves, much better from its public servants.
Okay, so we have an utterly corrupt ministry of Interior staffed with Israelis suffering from deep anger issues. We have a Knesset headed by a toothless snake with not a single original idea in his head. And we have a GPO headed by a 12 year old (or at least of that maturity level). ...so yeah - I can understand the need to keep foreign journalists under the thumb. Do we really want the rest of the world to know that this diverse intellegent society is entirely run by immature, corrupt, bad-tempered, ill-mannered fools?
Oh sure they can be arrested a foreign journalist for what ever ficticious reason they care to invent. But then a friend of mine who is a proffessor at Yale University and was here to lecture on Middle eastern politics and is an advisor to the Bush goverment on relations with Israel can be insulted, dragged off at the Airport when leaving Israel, strip searched and and verbally insulted denied his basic human rights then hay whats arresting a foreign journalist or two.
...when the german government interferes on bremer's request. this makes me ask whether the medias in germany are indeed independent medias!?!
...Bremer's often biased anti-Israeli articles in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung can understand Seaman's outburst concerning Bremer and his arrogant behaviour!
Whatever about the technicalties involved (and red tape exists the world over), it's remarkable to have the head of a government press office resort to language of that nature.
because they are jounalists they think its ok to broke the law in the so called freedom of information .out.
Goverment official using language like a bar room drunk!!
What right does any mere public servant such as a Government Press Office (aka Prime Minister's Office agency) official have to use the words "piece of crap" about ANY journalist. No wonder Israel has lost every media battle since the Yom Kippur War. Whatever the merits of the case regarding Bremer, Danny Seaman should be deported for his use of language unbecomming of an Israeli official.