Israel's Scrutiny of Foreign Journalists' Backgrounds Questioned
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
An investigation by the Jerusalem Center for Policy Research (JCAP) questions Israel's vetting of foreign journalists, focusing on Faruk Hander, Anadolu Agency's correspondent in Jerusalem. JCAP revealed Hander's past interviews with the Taliban and his work for an outlet linked to a Turkish terror group, raising concerns about his accreditation. The center urges authorities to examine how Hander's activities were approved and whether his background was known. Neither the Government Press Office, Anadolu Agency, nor Hander responded to requests for comment.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Faruk Hander, Anadolu Agency's correspondent in Jerusalem, is under scrutiny for his past associations and reporting.
- JCAP revealed Hander interviewed the Taliban spokesperson and worked for an outlet linked to a Turkish terror group.
- The investigation questions Israel's vetting process for foreign journalists, particularly those representing state media.
- JCAP has called for an examination of how Hander's accreditation was granted and his background assessed.
- Neither the Government Press Office, Anadolu Agency, nor Hander provided a response to the allegations.
The article raises questions about what Israel truly knows about foreign journalists officially accredited to operate within its territory, using the case of Faruk Hander, the Jerusalem correspondent for Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, as a focal point. It emphasizes that journalistic accreditation should not be based on a journalist's affinity for Israel, nor should it be a reward for pro-Israel stances. A democracy, the piece argues, must allow critical, even hostile, journalists to report freely. However, this freedom does not negate the state's right to inquire about who is operating within its borders, on whose behalf, and their professional and ideological backgrounds, especially when representing a foreign state media outlet.
The investigation highlights Hander's background, noting his connections to individuals associated with terrorist organizations, including the Taliban in Afghanistan. It points to his interviews with the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, for an extremist Islamist outlet, and his critical reporting on Israel's actions against Hezbollah. Hander also documented IDF forces near the Gaza border, publishing the material on his Facebook page.
Further scrutiny reveals Hander's past work for "Baran" magazine until 2023, an outlet identified with the İBDA movement. One of İBDA's branches, İBDA-C, is designated as a terrorist organization in Turkey, linked to Al-Qaeda, and is responsible for numerous attacks, including the 2003 Istanbul bombings. Hander's journalistic output on "Baran" included ideological articles and the gifting of books by İBDA founder Salih Mirzabeyoğlu to Mujahid, suggesting a shared worldview.
Hander transitioned to state media in 2023, participating in a "war correspondent training" program jointly run by Anadolu Agency, the Turkish National Police Academy, and the government aid agency TIKA. This program, which included training in security, combat, and trauma care, was completed by 24 graduates, including 13 foreign media professionals. The Jerusalem Center for Policy Research (JCAP) noted that Hander's transition occurred shortly after his publications in an outlet linked to a Turkish terror group, raising concerns about the vetting process for his accreditation in Israel.
JCAP has called on authorities to investigate how Hander's activities were approved and whether his background was known. The center views this case as part of a broader study on the influence of official Turkish entities in Jerusalem and the need for Israel to re-evaluate its approach. While the Foreign Ministry deferred questions to the Government Press Office, neither the office, Anadolu Agency, nor Hander himself provided a response.