JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli government on Sunday warned foreign journalists against boarding a Gaza-bound flotilla to cover the event. The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning raises 'serious questions' about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press.

The 'Freedom Flotilla II' will consist of ten ships carrying more than 500 Palestinian activists from around the world. They will meet in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Tuesday before heading to Gaza in an attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

"This flotilla is a dangerous provocation that is being organized by western and Islamic extremist elements to aid Hamas, which the world defines as an extremist Islamic terrorist organization," said Israeli Government Press Office Director Oren Helman in a letter sent to BNO News and other foreign journalists who regularly cover Israel.

Helman said the Israeli government has instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to prevent the flotilla from reaching its goal. "As the Director of the Government Press Office, I would like to make it clear to you and the media that you represent, that participation in the flotilla is an intentional violation of Israeli law and is liable to lead to participants being denied entry into the State of Israel for ten years, to the impoundment of their equipment and to additional sanctions," Helman said in the letter.

The warning indicates that the Israeli government will make no distinction between Palestinian activists and journalists who are covering the event in their line of duty. "I implore you to avoid taking part in this provocative and dangerous event, the purpose of which is to undermine Israel's right to defend itself and to knowingly violate Israeli law," Helman added.

The Tel Aviv-based Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the warning sends a 'chilling message' to the international media and raises serious questions about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press. "Journalists covering a legitimate news event should be allowed to do their jobs without threats and intimidation. We urge the government to reverse its decision immediately," FPA said in a statement.

In May 2010, nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed and dozens more were injured when Israeli commandos boarded a ship participating in the 'Freedom Flotilla I'. The incident caused global outrage over alleged excessive force, but Israel has denied that and said its commandos were being attacked.

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