A masked individual smashed the glass entrance to Channel 12's Tel Aviv offices overnight, leaving a letter threatening to harm journalists unless the channel apologizes for its reporting on alleged IDF abuse of a Palestinian detainee, according to reports. Police have opened an investigation.
The investigation into the overnight attack on Channel 12's Tel Aviv headquarters continues, with no arrest reported as of Wednesday afternoon. The masked assailant smashed the glass entrance door and left a threatening letter demanding the network apologize for its reporting on alleged IDF abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman facility, warning it would "smash journalists' heads with a brick." Police launched an immediate probe, and by Tuesday afternoon, the Shin Bet security agency had joined the investigation, as The Zioneer reported at 16:52 Jerusalem. The Shin Bet's involvement reflects the severity with which authorities view the incident, part of a broader pattern of threats against Israeli media outlets.
The attack marks the second such incident targeting Channel 12 this month, following a previous incident on July 5 that prompted CEO Avi Weiss to order an immediate security reinforcement at the Tel Aviv studios, as The Zioneer reported at 14:39 Jerusalem. The threats come amid a wider series of attacks on news media: security footage released July 8 showed a masked individual throwing two bricks at the Haaretz Tel Aviv entrance, punching a hole. Police Commissioner Danny Levi stated on July 23 that police "will not allow harm to journalists" after the attacks on Channel 12 and other outlets.
The threatening letter references the network's coverage of the Sde Teiman detention facility, where allegations of IDF abuse of a Palestinian detainee have sparked controversy. The incident also follows public criticism of Channel 12 from security cabinet members, who in late June accused the network of leaking sensitive operational details that endangered a military operation and ties with the United States, as The Zioneer reported on June 29.
The assailant remains at large. The joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Tel Aviv district police crime-fighting unit (YLF) in the Dan region is ongoing. No further details on suspects or the investigation's progress have been released.
4 developments
- DevelopingChannel 12 CEO orders immediate security reinforcement at Tel Aviv studios after door incident
- DevelopingSecurity footage: masked vandal threw two bricks at Haaretz Tel Aviv entrance
- StrongYair Golan accuses Netanyahu of inciting vandalism at Channel 12
- StrongIsraeli political figure warns violence against journalists is a 'red line', criticizes Channel 12
Source and signal
- Open-source intake