Israel seizes news agency AP’s equipment, stops Gaza live feed for ‘threatening security’
The seizure of the equipment led to the collapse of AP's live feed from Gaza
Israeli officials on Tuesday (May 21) confiscated a camera and broadcasting equipment of news agency The Associated Press (AP)citinga new media law. Israel accused the AP of providing images and videos from Gaza to Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera. Thecountry'sCommunication Ministryinastatementsaid it will do everything it can to restrict broadcasters from harming their national interests.
“In accordance with the government decision and the instruction of the communications minister, the Communications Ministry will continue to take whatever enforcement action is required to limit broadcasts that harm the security of the state,”the ministry said.
The seizure of the equipment led to the collapse ofAP'slive feed from Gaza. APinastatementcondemnedIsrael'sdecision andurged the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toreverse its decision.
“The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment,” Lauren Easton, AP vice president of corporate communications, said in a statement.
“The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of thecountry’snew foreign broadcaster law,”Eaton continued.“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.”
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Israel'sForeign Broadcaster law
Israeli officials handedoverAP staff a piece of paper signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and accused the agency of violating thecountry'sforeign broadcaster law. The law allows the Israeli government to shut down any broadcast by foreign media that may 'threaten state security'.
AP had refused to comply with the May 16order
Earlier on Thursday (May 16), the AP receivedsimilar adiktat from the Israeli government butthe US-based news agency refused to comply.
Watch: Israel War: Israelis protest for a Gaza hostage deal as truce talks stall
Today,its equipment was seizedaltogether.
Doha-based news channel Al Jazeera hasbeen bannedfrom Israel since May 5.The government had seized its equipment, banned its broadcast in their country and blocked its website after accusing it ofputtingthecountry'snational securityat risk.
(With inputs from agencies)