Shin Bet Complains to Censor Over Netanyahu UAE Visit Leak

Israel's General Security Service (Shin Bet) has filed a complaint with the Chief Military Censor against Channel 12 News, demanding severe repercussions for the outlet's reporting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's secret visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the Shin Bet deemed the leak a "serious censorship offense," asserting that the report was published while Netanyahu's plane was still outside Israeli airspace.

According to the Shin Bet, as conveyed by the Prime Minister's Office, the timing of the report "endangered the Prime Minister's security, the operation, and the forces in the field." Furthermore, the Shin Bet claimed the publication exposed operational methods, thereby increasing the risk for future operations. The leak allegedly jeopardized the safety of the Prime Minister, his wife Sara Netanyahu, and members of his entourage, including the head of the Mossad, the National Security Advisor, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary Major General Guy Marziano, the head of Shin Bet security, and the air and security crews.

The Prime Minister's Office indicated that Channel 12 published the news at 9:38 PM, while Netanyahu's plane was still far from Israeli borders, and that he did not land until 10:27 PM. The N12 website posted the story at 9:41 PM, revealing Netanyahu had flown to Abu Dhabi that morning, met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, and stayed for the day. The Mossad also commented on the severity of the publication, with an opinion cited by the Prime Minister's Office stating the leak posed a "serious security threat to the Prime Minister and the delegation" and constituted "damage to the security of the State of Israel."

Channel 12 has contested these claims, stating to Walla that the report was not broadcast at the start of the news program but closer to 10:00 PM, when Netanyahu's plane was already in Israel, thus posing no danger. They also argued the story was politically significant and not within the purview of military censorship.

The visit to Abu Dhabi, which focused on the Iranian threat, was conducted secretly. AP reported that during the meeting, Netanyahu asked bin Zayed to deny a report that he had personally warned him before the October 7th attack about Hamas's preparations.