Shin Bet Files Complaint Against Channel 12 Over Netanyahu UAE Visit Leak

The Shin Bet security agency has filed a complaint with the Chief Military Censor against Israel's Channel 12 News, accusing the broadcaster of endangering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his entourage by revealing details of his secret visit to the United Arab Emirates while his plane was still airborne and outside Israeli airspace. The Shin Bet stated that the publication of the visit's details, including the timing and manner of its execution, exposed operational methods that could jeopardize future missions and posed a severe security risk to the Prime Minister, his wife Sara Netanyahu, the head of the Mossad, the National Security Advisor, the Military Secretary, the head of the Shin Bet's security division, and the flight and security crews.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the news report was published at 9:41 PM on Sunday, while Netanyahu's plane was still nearly 50 minutes away from landing in Israel at 10:27 PM. The Shin Bet is demanding that the channel be held accountable for what it termed a "severe censorship offense."

The Mossad intelligence agency also weighed in, calling the leak a "serious security threat" and a "damage to the security of the State of Israel." This incident follows a similar controversy in July, where an investigation was opened into a leak of information regarding a military operation called "Lion's Roar" to Channel 12, drawing criticism for the publication of details concerning military activities.