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June 16, 2025 – General –
Amid Iran’s missile barrage on Israel, Israeli police, under directives from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have targeted foreign and Arab media crews in Haifa, seizing camera equipment and limiting live broadcasts of missile impact zones.
On June 16–17, Israeli officers raided hotel rooms housing foreign TV teams—including Turkey’s TRT Arabi and Egypt’s Al-Ghad TV—following orders to curtail “live broadcasts that endanger state security”. Police reportedly entered locations after tips that crews were filming sensitive areas like Haifa’s port. The journalists were later summoned for questioning and had their gear temporarily confiscated.
The crackdown follows Ben-Gvir’s public statements urging internal security (Shin Bet) and police to clamp down on foreign broadcasts during times of military sensitivity, claiming such coverage was facilitating Iranian targeting. This has sparked concern about press freedom, particularly for Arab and international media operating in conflict zones.
Emanuel Fabian of The Times of Israel confirmed that police actively “set out to clear international media journalists who have been broadcasting live missile impacts in the Haifa area,” employing units from the Coastal Police District to enforce these restrictions.
Observers see this as a broader attempt to control the narrative during heightened hostilities with Iran. According to geopolitical analysts, the operation appears aimed at concealing the full extent of the damage from the public. Social media sources, including one tweet, reported the targeting of Palestinian journalists’ offices as well, accusing them of illegally broadcasting during the missile barrage.
In summary, the raids in Haifa reflect an escalated media crackdown: equipment seizures, live-broadcast bans, police interrogations, and censorship orders—all unfolding amid intense military conflict. Critics argue these measures suppress independent journalism and curtail transparency. The coming days will likely reveal whether foreign media regain access or if the clampdown intensifies further.
Reference –
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/israel-foreign-media-crackdown
