Shin Bet accuses Channel 12 of having endangered Benjamin Netanyahu and demands prosecution
The Israeli security service has imposed military censorship after the revelation of the Prime Minister's trip to Abu Dhabi. The channel disputes the timeline put forward by the authorities
The Shin Bet filed a complaint with the Israeli military censor after Channel 12 revealed Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United Arab Emirates. According to the Prime Minister’s office, the service considers this publication a “serious violation of censorship rules” and is requesting legal action.
The Shin Bet claims that the information was released at 9:38 p.m., while the Prime Minister's plane was still outside Israel. The aircraft is said to have landed at 10:27 p.m. According to the service, this publication endangered Benjamin Netanyahu, the members of his delegation, and the teams responsible for their security. It also revealed methods likely to increase risks during future trips.
The Mossad also believes that the leak constituted a serious threat to the security of the Prime Minister and his delegation, and requests that it be treated as an incident compromising state security.
The timeline, however, is the subject of a disagreement with Channel 12 claiming to have broadcast the information only after Benjamin Netanyahu had returned to Israel.
The Prime Minister's office stated that the visit, made at the invitation of Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, focused on relations between the two countries and regional challenges.