Free Press in Israel Faces Escalating Threats Amid Political Incitement and Violence

The free press in Israel is under increasing threat from multiple fronts, including legislation, propaganda channels, and physical attacks. Recently, stones were thrown at the entrance of Channel 12 news building, accompanied by a threatening note targeting journalist Guy Peleg and his colleagues. The note warned that unless they apologized for the Shde Yemen affair, the attacks would continue and escalate, even threatening serious harm.

This explicit threat follows a broader pattern of hostility toward independent media, which is increasingly labeled as "the enemy of the people." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has led a harsh campaign against critical and independent journalism, involving legislative efforts by his coalition to weaken media outlets, shutting down public broadcaster Galei Tzahal, attempting to stifle Haaretz, and blocking the rescue of Channel 13. Wealthy allies have also established propaganda platforms to support this agenda.

The current wave of incitement and violence against the press is unprecedented in its intensity and is expected to be a key theme in the upcoming Likud election campaign. The article warns that such incitement may lead to physical attacks, as seen in the threatening note attached to the stones. The police, now under the leadership of Itamar Ben-Gvir, are criticized for their ineffective response to violence in Arab sectors and the West Bank, raising doubts about their ability to protect the media.

The article calls for urgent police action, potentially with assistance from the Shin Bet, to safeguard democratic institutions including the free press, judiciary, and legal advisors, all currently under attack. It stresses the critical role of independent media as a cornerstone of democracy and warns against the dangerous consequences if these institutions are undermined or destroyed. The threat to journalists, judges, and prosecutors is now tangible and demands serious attention to prevent bloodshed and preserve democratic legitimacy.