Israeli officials seized broadcasting equipment belonging to the Associated Press on Tuesday, arguing it was used to provide images to Al Jazeera, whose Jerusalem bureau was shuttered earlier this month following the passage of a new foreign broadcast law.
Why it matters: Press advocates have warned that the law creates a dangerous precedent for censoring independent news outlets in the region amid the ongoing war with Hamas.
- Israeli lawmakers passed the measure last month, empowering the country’s communications minister to take action against any foreign media network that it can prove poses a national security risk.
- Tuesday’s seizure has already garnered sharp criticism, with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid calling it “an act of madness.”
Driving the news: Officials seized AP’s equipment in the southern town of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon, arguing the global news agency had violated the new law by providing a live feed of northern Gaza to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, AP reported.
- According to the Israeli Ministry of Communications, the confiscated equipment includes a camera, tripod, live modem and two microphones.
AP reported that it “complies with Israel’s military censorship rules, which prohibit broadcasts of details like troops movements that could endanger soldiers.”
- “The live shot has generally shown smoke rising over the territory,” it reported.
- “The Qatari satellite channel is among thousands of clients that receive live video feeds from the AP and other news organizations,” it added.
- The seizure of the equipment followed a refusal by AP to adhere to an order from Israeli officials last week to cut the live feed.
Hellbound and Down 