Shin Bet Files Complaint Against Channel 12 Over PM's UAE Flight Leak

The Shin Bet security agency filed a complaint with the Chief Military Censor on Monday against Israeli news channel Hadashot 12, following the network's report on the Prime Minister's flight to the United Arab Emirates. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the report constituted a severe censorship offense and demanded that the channel be held accountable.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, the report was published on Sunday at 9:38 PM, while the plane carrying the Prime Minister was still far from Israeli airspace. The plane landed in Israel at 10:27 PM, approximately 49 minutes later. The Shin Bet asserts that reporting the visit at that stage "endangered the Prime Minister's security, the operation, and the forces on the ground." Furthermore, the agency claims the report exposed operational methods, potentially jeopardizing future missions.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that the publication endangered the lives of the Prime Minister, his wife, and the entourage, which included the head of the Mossad, the National Security Advisor, Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Guy Marzanuk, the head of Shin Bet security, the aircrew, and the security team.

The Mossad also commented on the severity of the incident, with its opinion quoted in the Prime Minister's Office statement: "This leak posed a grave security threat to the Prime Minister and the delegation... We request this publication be flagged as a serious event causing damage to Israel's security."

Hadashot 12 had reported on Sunday that the Prime Minister traveled to the UAE for a diplomatic visit and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The Prime Minister's Office reiterated that the report was broadcast before the plane carrying the Prime Minister and his entourage had even reached Israeli territory, thereby endangering their lives.