Channel 14 Reporter Accuses Channel 12 of Treason Over Censored Report

A controversy has erupted over the Israeli military censor's handling of information, with Channel 14 reporter Moti Kastel alleging that a report he submitted on a secret visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense the US Secretary of Defense to Israel was initially blocked, only to be published later by rival Channel 12. Kastel claims this has become a pattern, demanding an explanation for the differing decisions and why the ban imposed on him did not prevent the rival channel from reporting the same story.

The report concerned the US Secretary of Defense's clandestine visit to Israel and his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Channel 12's report, which appeared on N12 under a "first publication" banner and cited two sources, the U.S. Secretary of Defense arrived without prior Pentagon notification and met with Netanyahu. Kastel stated that Channel 14 had prior knowledge of the event and sought to publish it, but the censor refused, citing potential harm to national security due to heightened tensions.

Kastel further detailed that the censored information included the US Secretary of Defense meeting Netanyahu for an extended secret discussion with foreign officials at an air force base. He also noted that Netanyahu's unusual travel by plane from Ben Gurion Airport to the meeting was the reason for the cancellation of the Prime Minister's planned attendance at a football match. Kastel questioned why Channel 12's report was permitted, suggesting it could endanger U.S. security and sensitive Israeli interests, and called for criminal prosecution of any Israeli citizen who knowingly harms national security or foreign relations.

Kastel also drew a parallel to a previous incident where Channel 12 allegedly "shocked" by a publication in Bild, labeling it an act of "betrayal." He implied hypocrisy, suggesting that if Israel had planned an operation that such a publication could have thwarted, it would indeed constitute treason. This dispute follows a similar recent clash between Channel 12 and security officials over the reporting of Netanyahu's secret visit to the UAE, where Channel 12 also denied allegations of censorship violations.

It is important to note that these are currently Kastel's claims regarding the censorship process. Publicly available information does not allow for independent verification of the exact submissions made by each outlet, their wording, or the timing of decisions. Kastel is demanding answers to these broader questions.