Shin Bet accuses Channel 12 of endangering Netanyahu during secret UAE visit

The Shin Bet filed a complaint on Monday against Channel 12 with the Chief Military Censor, accusing the channel of being in serious violation of censorship laws by reporting on the whereabouts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his secret visit to the UAE on Sunday.

The Shin Bet is claiming that the report was published in such a way that it endangered Netanyahu's life as well as the other people on board the plane.

The complaint focuses on the fact that the flight was reported by Channel 12 at 9:38 p.m., while the aircraft was still far from Israel's borders, finally landing in Israel about an hour later, at 10:27 p.m..

"The publication of the visit—and the details regarding how it was conducted—exposed the Service's operational methods, thereby placing future operations at greater risk," the complaint says.

Accompanying the prime minister were his wife, the director of Mossad, the head of the National Security Council, Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Guy Markizano, the head of the Shin Bet’s Security Division, the flight crew, and the security detail.

Mossad also stated, "This leak posed a grave security threat to the safety of the Prime Minister and the delegation. We wish to raise a red flag and designate this publication as a serious incident that has caused damage to the security of the State of Israel."