AP Condemns Israel In ‘the Strongest Terms’ For Seizing Its Equipment, Cutting Live Feed From Gaza
Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP
The Associate Press condemned the Israeli government on Tuesday in the “strongest terms” possible for seizing the news wire’s camera equipment and cutting its live feed from northern Gaza.
The AP reported that “Officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in the southern town of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon and seized the equipment. They handed the AP a piece of paper, signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging it was violating the country’s foreign broadcaster law.”
The AP, like other news agencies, offer live streams from around the world to their client publications. The Israeli government accused the agency of violating its controversial new law by providing that live feed to Qatar-owned Al Jazeera, which Israel had shuttered in recent weeks.
Lauren Easton, vice president of corporate communications, put out a statement, saying, “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.”
“The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law. 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,” Easton added.
Israel shut down Al Jazeera broadcasts in early May and raided its offices in East Jerusalem, declaring the channel a mouthpiece for Hamas and a national security threat. The move prompted outrage internationally and an internal court battle over the Netanyahu government’s controversial new media law that allowed for the shutdown, which critics warn could be used against almost any outlet.
The AP made clear in their reporting on the incident that they comply with all of “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.”
