Home Gaza Issue Israel’s Cabinet Sanctions Haaretz Over Critical War Coverage and Publisher’s Comments

Israel’s Cabinet Sanctions Haaretz Over Critical War Coverage and Publisher’s Comments

Israel's Cabinet Sanctions Haaretz Over Critical War Coverage and Publisher’s Comments PULSE NEWS
Listen to this article

Tel aviv: On Sunday, Israel’s cabinet unanimously voted to sanction Haaretz, the country’s oldest and most respected newspaper, in response to its critical coverage of the ongoing war following the October 7 Hamas attacks and comments made by the paper’s publisher.

Haaretz, internationally known for its independent reporting, has provided in-depth coverage of Israel’s military actions, including investigations into alleged abuses by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza and Lebanon. The sanctions, proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Kar’i, will stop all government advertising in the paper and cancel subscriptions for state employees and those working for state-owned companies.

The government move follows statements by Haaretz’s publisher, Amos Schocken, at an event in London on October 27, where he called for international sanctions against Israeli leaders. Schocken also controversially referred to Palestinian militants as “freedom fighters,” drawing criticism from many in Israel. He later clarified that he did not mean Hamas but was referring to Palestinians under occupation.

In his defense, Schocken stated the term “freedom fighters” was meant to describe Palestinians living under oppression in the West Bank, though Haaretz acknowledged his misstep in labeling terrorists as such. Despite the clarification, the government’s response was firm, with Kar’i accusing Haaretz of undermining Israel’s legitimacy and its right to self-defense.

This decision follows a series of articles from Haaretz that Kar’i claims damaged Israel’s image internationally. The newspaper, in turn, condemned the sanctions as an effort to stifle independent journalism.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here