A door at the entrance to Channel 12 News’ Tel Aviv offices was shattered Tuesday, the second such incident this month.
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A door at the entrance to Channel 12 News’ Tel Aviv offices after it was shattered Tuesday.
A door at the entrance to Channel 12 News’ Tel Aviv offices after it was shattered Tuesday.
In a statement, Channel 12 News described the incident as a “real alarm,” and urged the Israeli government and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to “stop their unrestrained, inflammatory attacks against the free press, which are also leading to serious acts of violence.”
The Israel Police said it was investigating the incident. In a statement, police said officers responding to the scene collected evidence and were searching for suspects.
Staff and journalists at Channel 13 News condemned the attack and called on police to bring the suspects to justice.
“An attack on one news organization is an attack on the entire Israeli press and on the foundations of democracy,” the statement said.
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A masked vandal smashes the entrance door of the Haaretz offices in Tel Aviv, June. Credit: CCTV
A masked vandal smashes the entrance door of the Haaretz offices in Tel Aviv, June. Credit: CCTV
The incident comes as Israeli news outlets and journalists face increasing threats and intimidation.
In early July, a masked assailant threw a stone through the entrance of Channel 12 News’ offices. Three days later, the entrance door to Haaretz’s offices in Tel Aviv was smashed by a masked vandal.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy condemned the attacks Thursday, two weeks after they occurred, and ordered officers to complete their investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
“We will not allow any harm to any media outlet or to journalists carrying out their work,” Levy said. In a statement, police added that they would “act decisively against any attempt to harm media organizations or the rule of law.”
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A biker rides past a graffiti text found in Tel Aviv inciting against Israeli television broadcasters 11, 12 and 13, in June. Credit: Hadas Parush
A biker rides past a graffiti text found in Tel Aviv inciting against Israeli television broadcasters 11, 12 and 13, in June. Credit: Hadas Parush
In June, graffiti containing threats and incitement targeting Israel’s three main television channels and several prominent journalists was discovered in Tel Aviv, with some slogans sprayed near Channel 12 News offices and near the home of a senior Channel 13 News reporter.