Israeli Army Seizes Press Cards
The Israeli army on Monday seized government-issued press cards from 17 foreign and Palestinian journalists covering the standoff between the army and armed Palestinians holed up in the Church of the Nativity.

The journalists were stopped about 400 yards from Manger Square and the church compound, where 200 armed men and about 100 clergy and unarmed Palestinians have been besieged for 21 days, defying Israeli demands to surrender.

An army officer told the journalists they were in a restricted area and insisted they turn over their press cards. The army did not produce any document backing up his claim that the area was restricted, as required by law.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Israel-Journalists.html