The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Israeli authorities shut down its live camera feed showing Gaza and seized its equipment. This action has been criticized as an “abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcasters law.”
“The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government,” stated the non-profit news organization. “We urge the Israeli authorities to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world.”
The Israeli military frequently designates areas around Gaza as “closed military zones,” restricting movement and access. The AP’s live feed offered a rare view of the region, where independent journalists face significant entry restrictions imposed by both Israel and Egypt.
The Associated Press did not respond immediately to a CNN request for comment. However, the Foreign Press Association expressed its concern regarding the shutdown and seizure.
“Israel’s move today is a slippery slope. Israel could block other international news agencies from providing live footage of Gaza. It also could allow Israel to block media coverage of virtually any news event on vague security grounds,” the FPA said in a statement.
This incident follows Israel’s recent closure of Al Jazeera’s operations in the country. Authorities raided the news outlet’s offices, seizing communication equipment, which drew swift condemnation from the United Nations and various rights groups. These actions are seen as part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to restrict press freedoms.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi defended the shutdown and seizure, accusing the AP of violating the new law by providing a feed to its thousands of news clients, including Al Jazeera.
“The camera that was confiscated illegally broadcasts on the Al Jazeera channel live the northern Gaza Strip, including the activities of the IDF forces and endangers our fighters,” Karhi stated. “It should be noted that a warning was given to the AP agency last week that according to the law and the government’s decision they are prohibited from providing broadcasts to Al Jazeera, however, they decided to continue broadcasting on the channel causing real harm to the security of the state.”
The confiscated equipment included a camera, tripod, two microphones, and transmission equipment.
The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned Israel’s decision to seize the equipment.
“After having banned Al Jazeera, Israel is lashing out at the AP,” RSF stated. “RSF denounces the seizure of the news outlet’s camera and the interruption of the continuous feed that films Gaza under the pretext that these images are supplying, among others, Al Jazeera.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also criticized the government’s actions, calling it “an act of madness.”
“This is not Al Jazeera; this is an American media outlet that has won 53 Pulitzer Prizes,” Lapid said. “This government behaves as if it has decided to make sure at any cost that Israel will be outcast all over the world. They went mad.”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and international media organizations, raising concerns about press freedom and transparency in the region. The global journalistic community continues to watch closely as the situation unfolds, advocating for the restoration of the AP’s live feed and the return of its seized equipment.
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