Journalists Under Siege: The Battle for Press Freedom in Israel

In the heart of Israel, a battle is raging—not just between nations, but between the truth and those who seek to suppress it. The Arab Center for Media Freedom, Development and Research (I’LAM) has documented a series of alarming incidents where journalists from foreign media outlets have been denied entry to critical sites, assaulted, and even arrested. The situation is escalating, and the future of press freedom in the region hangs in the balance.

On June 14, 2025, the first shots were fired in this media war. Samir Abdel Hadi from the Turkish Anadolu Agency was blocked from entering a rocket site in Rishon LeZion, despite flashing his press credentials. The scene quickly turned ugly as Arej Hakrush and her cameraman Alaa Al-Hayeh from Al-Ghad TV were subjected to racist verbal abuse by local residents. Hakrush was pulled by her hair and had water poured on her, while a mob of around ten people attempted to assault Al-Hayeh with a camera tripod. The police, present at the scene, refused to intervene.

The next day, in Bat Yam, journalists Razi Tatour and Iyad Abu Shalbak from Al-Ghad TV were assaulted by border guards. Their camera was seized, and their broadcast was forcibly interrupted. Shalbak was physically attacked, and the guards accused them of being saboteurs. Meanwhile, Marwan Athamneh and Mohammed Al Sharif from Saudi-owned Al Arabiya were targeted by a mob after being heard speaking Arabic. Another incident involving a woman journalist is still under investigation.

The harassment didn’t stop there. In Haifa, several journalists covering rocket impacts were filmed by civilians. The footage was spread on Israeli social media groups, inciting the public to confront and punish them. They were falsely accused of working for Al Jazeera and “helping the enemy.” Journalists affected included Ward Qarara from Jordanian Roya News Channel, Ahmed Jaradat and Abdul Khader from Al Arabiya, as well as Karen Al-Bash, Saeed Khair Al-Din, Israa Al-Zeer, and Samir Abdel Hadi from Anadolu Agency. Once again, no police protection was provided.

On June 16, Israeli police raided locations in Haifa where foreign TV crews, including Turkish TRT Arabi and Al-Ghad TV, were operating. Authorities confiscated equipment and summoned journalists for interrogation, accusing them of airing footage of sensitive sites hit during Iranian missile strikes. The raids were ordered by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who accused foreign broadcasters of endangering state security. Journalists affected included Razi Tatour and Iyad Abu Shalbak from Al-Ghad TV, Fahmi Shtewi and Hamza Al-Naaji from TRT Arabic, as well as Murad Aseed, a freelance journalist.

The situation reached a boiling point on June 19, when the Israeli parliament and Itamar Ben-Gvir introduced a new draft of a law targeting journalists who report from bombing sites. The law prohibits the filming of missile interceptions and impacts, as well as the posting of any related photos and videos on social media. It also bans foreign media outlets considered hostile to the state from filming inside the country during wartime. Moreover, this law forbids the filming of sensitive or strategic locations. The draft law’s amendments replace fines with prison sentences, ranging from 20 to 30 months for violations.

According to senior Israeli journalist Amit Segal, a photographer filming for Al Jazeera was arrested on the night of June 18. This indicates that enforcement of the new law has already begun, even before it has been officially adopted.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) General Secretary Anthony Bellanger has called the situation “deeply alarming.” “Journalists must be allowed to report freely and safely,” he said. “We call again on Israeli authorities and the public to uphold press freedom as well as to protect all journalists, regardless of their background or affiliation.”

The IFJ also reminds journalists to take safety precautions and to wear press identification, especially in conflict areas. It calls on the public and Israeli authorities to respect the role of journalists and to guarantee their safety at all times.

The implications of these events are far-reaching. The new draft law targeting journalists who report from bombing sites could significantly limit the public's access to real-time information about the conflict, making it harder for them to form an accurate understanding of the situation. This lack of transparency could lead to increased misinformation and propaganda, further polarizing public opinion and exacerbating tensions.

The law banning foreign media outlets considered hostile to the state from filming inside the country during wartime could result in a biased portrayal of events, as only state-approved narratives may be disseminated. The absence of independent journalism could undermine public trust in the government and media institutions, leading to a more divided society.

The law forbidding the filming of sensitive or strategic locations could hinder investigative journalism and the exposure of potential war crimes or human rights abuses. Without independent reporting, it may be difficult to hold those responsible for such atrocities accountable.

Lastly, the draft law's amendments replacing fines with prison sentences could have a chilling effect on journalists, discouraging them from reporting on sensitive topics or criticizing the government. This could lead to self-censorship and a further narrowing of the public discourse, ultimately undermining democracy and the rule of law.

The battle for press freedom in Israel is far from over. As the situation continues to escalate, it is crucial that the international community stands up for the rights of journalists and demands that they be allowed to report freely and safely. The future of press freedom in the region depends on it.