Netanyahu's Office Accuses Channel 12 of Violating Censorship, Endangering Lives

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is furious with Channel 12 News for reporting on a secret meeting between Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Officials in the Prime Minister's office claim the report was published despite the military censor prohibiting its release, alleging that Channel 12 violated censorship laws and "endangered lives."

According to Netanyahu's office, the information concerned a sensitive, secret trip by the Prime Minister that the censor had not cleared for publication. They stated that the censor's involvement was not a matter of public interest.

Channel 12 News, however, disputes these claims, asserting that the report was aired only after Netanyahu had already returned to Israel. Sources at the news channel stated that the report was broadcast around 10 p.m., well after the Prime Minister's plane had landed in Israel, thus posing no danger.

Channel 12 further argued that the story about the secret visit was a political one with dramatic timing, and therefore not something the military censor should have jurisdiction over.