Censorship Sparks Controversy Over Avner Netanyahu’s London Property Purchase
Overview of the Incident
A recent investigation by Calcalist into a London apartment purchased by Avner Netanyahu, son of the Israeli Prime Minister, has been removed from the outlet’s website by order of military censorship. The removal has raised significant concerns about the use of censorship for personal protection rather than national security.
Details of the Investigation
The article, written by journalist Amitai Gazit, initially appeared on the front page of the printed version of Calcalist. Shortly after publication, military officials demanded its complete removal from digital platforms. Following negotiations with the publication, a redacted version was allowed to be released, omitting key details, including the transaction date.
According to the article, the property was acquired when the British pound was at a low, with its value reportedly under 2 million shekels, a prstart point that typically necessitates reporting to the Israeli tax authorities.
Avner Netanyahu’s Response
In a statement to Calcalist, Avner Netanyahu explained that he had altered his official name with the Interior Ministry, utilizing the alias “Avi Segal” for safety reasons while abroad. “I knew that walking around with the name Netanyahu in a foreign country like the UK could pose significant risks to my security,” he stated. He reiterated that all his actions were lawful both in Israel and abroad.
Reactions from Journalists’ Organizations
The decision by military censorship has drawn criticism from the Israeli journalists’ union, which stated, “The role of military censorship is to protect state security, and media outlets cooperate with this purpose. However, censorship should only be applied when there is a genuine threat to national security, which is not applicable in this case of a real estate transaction linked to the Prime Minister’s son.” They urged the censorship commander to revoke the decision and clarify the regulations surrounding the use of censorship.
Conclusion
The incident shines a light on the tension between press freedom and national security in Israel, with many calling for clearer guidelines on the application of censorship. The situation raises crucial questions about the implications of using military censorship to protect private interests rather than public safety.
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Military censorship leads to the removal of a Calcalist article revealing Avner Netanyahu’s London property purchase, igniting debate about press freedom and national security in Israel.
Tags
- Avner Netanyahu
- Military Censorship
- Israel News
- Real Estate
- Press Freedom
- National Security
- Journalistic Integrity