1. Press Accreditation
Journalists holding 2009/10 press cards, or visiting/temporary cards which are valid until May 15th or later do not require further accreditation. Correspondents and crew arriving to support existing bureaus in Israel may submit their application for accreditation, prior to their arrival, online at http://www.pmo.gov.il/gpo. Applications arrive directly to the GPO and there is no need to send by fax. Please note, entry to all events and ceremonies during the Papal visit, requires a valid GPO Press Card together with a further official picture identity card (passport or ID card). For more details, see below.
2. Entry of Media
Arrival to all media events will be permitted only with the organized transportation, which will depart from predetermined collection points, at the relevant time - and will transport the journalists with a GPO escort to the location. With the exception of Ben Gurion Airport - journalists arriving independently to events will not be granted entry - including members of the pool.
3. Media Attendance
The majority of the media events will be covered only by a preselected pool:
Television – Israeli Channel 1 has received the rights to live broadcasts and to output clean feed from each of the events. The feed will be available via W2 satelite, the frequencies of which will be announced. The feed will be available from JCS and Satlink, and will also be availabe at the MFA Press Centers.
Mobile Broadcast Units (MBUs) – For live broadcasts and stand-ups please contact Sharon (sharon@press.pmo.gov.il) as soon as possible with details of the places from which you wish to broadcast. Please note that places are severely limited. All requests will be considered and those allocated a place will be notified, along with details of arrival times.
4. Papal Mass
Nazareth – Those wishing to attend the Papal Mass in Nazareth must register by email at nztmass@press.pmo.gov.il with the details of those wishing to attend, and indicating the number of people interested in travelling by organized transportation from Jerusalem. Those who have not registered in advance will not be granted entry.
Jerusalem – Arrival to the Jerusalem Papal Mass will be permitted only with the organized transport, which must be pre-booked at the following email – jlmmass@press.pmo.gov.il.
5. Times of arrival
Times have been fixed in consultation with all relevant bodies involved in the visit, and with the design of meeting the requirements of all those involved. Accordingly, you are kindly requested to arrive promptly to all events, even if the times seem unreasonable. Regrettably, we will be unable to wait at collection points for late-comers, and you are reminded that journalists arriving independently, will not be granted access to the events.
6. Contact Liaisons
At each event there will be a fixed Government Press Office representative responsible for accompanying the media. This person will be made known to you and will be available to answer all requests and concerns.
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Press Accreditation
Journalists wishing to apply for press accreditation to cover the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Israel (11th-15th May 2009) are hereby notified of the following application process.
Due to the high demand, please submit accreditation applications as soon as possible to avoid a delay in receiving your press pass.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: MAY 1st 2009
1. Please complete in full the application forms. These should be returned by email to gpoinfo@press.pmo.gov.il together with the following;
2. A passport photo (JPEG format only.)
3. Scan of passport and relevant visas.
4. An official, dated letter of assignment, signed by the Editor-in-Chief of the media organization.
5. Please make a payment of 50 NIS per application (around $12/€9) payable online here. The receipt for this transaction MUST also be included in the email.
Please note, applications must be completed IN FULL, and clearly legible.
Applications omitting the above required information, or submitted after the deadline WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
Details for the collection of the press cards, together with itineraries and press arrangements will be published separately.
If you have any further inquiries, please contact the Government Press Office:
Sharon Goldhammer, +972 (0) 2-500-7516 / Cell +972 (0) 506-205-288Jason Pearlman, +972 (0) 2-500-7511 / Cell +972 (0) 506-205-385