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February 11, 2026 – Russia –
A Russian-born Israeli journalist was removed from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official flight to the United States this week after Israeli security services raised concerns about the reporter’s alleged connections to Russian entities, officials and media outlets said. The decision, which was taken at the last minute, has sparked debate about press access and national security procedures.
The journalist, whose name has not been publicly released due to security sensitivities, was originally slated to travel with Netanyahu’s delegation on a state visit to Washington, D.C., aimed at strengthening U.S.–Israel strategic ties. Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, intervened shortly before departure, citing intelligence that suggested the reporter had maintained contacts with Russian officials and Russian-linked media networks. Security officials questioned whether those connections could pose a risk in the context of an official diplomatic mission.
Israeli authorities did not provide specific details about the alleged connections, but a statement attributed to the Prime Minister’s Office said that the decision was made “in the interests of national security” and does not reflect on the broader reputation of the Israeli press. Israeli security sources emphasised that the matter was a preventive measure designed to mitigate any exploitation of the trip for foreign influence operations.
Reports indicate that the journalist had been accredited to accompany the prime minister as part of the official press corps, and that the removal occurred just hours before departure from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. The sudden decision left the journalist and his media outlet scrambling to adjust travel arrangements, and the press accreditation was revoked by security officials at the direction of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Media freedom advocates in Israel expressed concern about the implications of the removal, arguing that journalists should not be excluded from official press coverage on vague grounds that are not publicly explained. They stressed the importance of transparency and due process when security considerations affect media access, especially during high-profile diplomatic missions. Some commentators said the episode highlighted tensions between press freedom and national security imperatives in a complex geopolitical environment.
The prime minister’s delegation proceeded to the United States without further incident, and senior officials are expected to hold meetings with U.S. counterparts on regional security and bilateral cooperation. Israeli government representatives declined to comment further on the specific case, saying that security assessments are not publicly disclosed in detail and should be understood as standard practice to safeguard sensitive diplomatic engagements.
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