Masked attacker smashes Channel 12 doors in Tel Aviv and leaves violent threat | Ukraine news - EUROPE SAYS
A masked assailant shattered Channel 12’s entrance and left a chilling anonymous note, heightening anxiety among journalists as election tensions rise. A Jerusalem surveillance camera, aimed at the entrance to. . .
A masked assailant shattered Channel 12’s entrance and left a chilling anonymous note, heightening anxiety among journalists as election tensions rise. A Jerusalem surveillance camera, aimed at the entrance to Channel 12’s headquarters in Tel Aviv, captured the attack in full, brazen brutality: a masked man ran to the glass doors and smashed them with a brick. At the scene, an anonymous letter was left with a warning: “Next time a brick will be aimed at one of your heads. ” The letter also carried a warning: “In the end, someone will die. ”“Next time a brick will be aimed at one of your heads. ”– Anonymous authorThis incident marked the third case of vandalism against Israeli media in a month and another sign of rising pressure, threats and intimidation of journalists ahead of the October elections. “Someone who throws a stone at glass doors is throwing at someone’s head. ”– Danny KushmaroAccording to one journalist, there is growing anxiety about threats to journalism in the pre-election period; the incidents point to intensifying pressure on the media. Journalists’ unions, opposition leaders, and the media criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies for rhetoric they view as evidence of biased attitudes toward the media and even as aiding the country’s enemies. Such statements, critics say, create grounds for violence against journalists and, in their interpretation, could undermine trust in the electoral process should Netanyahu lose. The October elections are among the most consequential in the country’s modern history, taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing war after the October 7, 2023 attacks and discussions about whether Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister, can maintain control of the government. Earlier in July masked attackers broke the entrances to Channel 12 and the left-leaning Haaretz in two separate incidents. In May and June threats and graffiti appeared near Channel 12’s offices and near the home of a well-known journalist. In November and December graffiti near Channel 13 studios stated: “The blood of traitors will not be broadcast yet. ”In addition to vandalism, journalists who critically covered Netanyahu face protests outside their homes, posters bearing their faces, and clashes during government-supporting activists’ actions. One of the activists, Mordechai David, 26, known for clashes with journalists and the opposition, previously received support from coalition members, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Threats, including the warning note on Channel 12’s door, are often linked to reporting on the Sde Teiman case – charges of sexual assault by a Palestinian detainee held in a military detention facility. Channel 12 released a leak of video materials from this case in August 2024, which led to criminal charges against several reservists and the resignation of the army’s chief legal counsel. “The blood of Channel 12 journalists is not for sale. ”– Channel 12Right-wing politicians and commentators, including on Channel 14, interpret the case as a “blood libel” against the army. According to officials, the case was closed due to errors in evidence and procedural details. Israeli journalist community and the opposition also have remarks about the government’s actions: in the regulatory reform version, a new broadcasting law appears that replaces the independent media regulator with politically appointed officials with the right to fine and punish the media. Meanwhile, the government eases conditions for Channel 14, and the court temporarily halted the enforcement of certain provisions of the law pending a final ruling. The journalist community warns that freedom of the press cannot be restored without resolving the conflict between the government and the media. According to organizations, three months before the elections is a clear signal of rising threats and pressure on journalists, and they remain in contact with the police regarding further protection of media workers. Netanyahu and most of his allies have yet to publicly assess the violence. Some lawmakers criticized the media and urged adherence to the law, but also stressed the need to strengthen press protection and avoid further threats. This escalation reflects a long-standing split between Netanyahu and Israel’s leading media. The prime minister rarely gives interviews to the three main TV channels and often appears on Channel 14, which backs his base. Debates in political circles emphasize sensitivity to editorial decisions and media control, which, critics say, reduces freedom of expression. According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Ranking by Reporters Without Borders, Israel ranks 116th out of 180 countries, lower than the previous year (112) and 101st in 2024, but higher than 2022 (86). The organization attributes this to wartime restrictions, expanded censorship under the banner of security, and limits on coverage of Palestinian issues, including a ban on foreign journalists’ independent access to Gaza since the start of the 2023 war. Interim changes in the regulatory landscape and the new broadcasting law are being discussed in courts: the court has already suspended the enforcement of certain provisions of the law until a final ruling. Experts emphasize that such steps will not fully resolve the split between the government and the media or restore substantial freedom of the press in the country. Threats and attacks remain a pressing issue: freedom of the press and journalist safety are in question, especially in the pre-election period, when political polarization intensifies.