Israeli journalist alleges threats over reporting spy chief's coercion against ICC probe

The recent report that former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen threatened the then International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to dissuade the probe against Israel’s war crimes in Palestine, however, had met attempts to not report by Haaretz, Israel’s leading left-wing newspaper, by Israeli officials, The Guardian reported.

Gur Megiddo, a journalist with Haaretz, detailed how security officials obstructed Haaretz's efforts to report on Cohen's alleged endeavours to influence Bensouda. The saga, shrouded in secrecy, underscores the extent to which Israel's intelligence apparatus has reportedly surveilled, hacked, and pressured individuals involved in ICC inquiries related to war crimes in Palestine.

According to Megiddo, his investigation into Cohen's activities during trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, purportedly involving collaboration with Congolese President Joseph Kabila to pressure Bensouda, prompted a grave response from security officials. He recounted an encounter where he was summoned, threatened, and warned of dire consequences should he proceed with publishing his findings.

This narrative of censorship and intimidation comes amidst mounting concerns over press freedom in Israel. Haaretz's publication of an article with extensive redactions, as well as a court-ordered blackout related to the detention of Palestinian activist Bassem Tamimi.

Anat Saragusti, the press freedom director for the Union of Journalists in Israel, voiced concerns over what she described as the extreme right-wing government's targeting of press freedom, The Guardian report said.

Recent actions, including the closure of Al Jazeera's local offices and the brief seizure of Associated Press equipment, underscore a troubling trend towards stifling dissent and controlling the media narrative.

Israeli law mandates that journalists submit articles on security issues to the military censor for review, a practice rooted in emergency regulations dating back to Israel's founding. However, the extent of censorship revealed by figures obtained through freedom of information requests is staggering.

In 2023 alone, the military censor barred the publication of 613 articles and redacted portions of 2,703 more, averaging nine instances of information suppression daily.

Haggai Matar, the executive director of +972 magazine, condemned what he described as a government hostile to journalism. He pointed to the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal troubles, including allegations of media manipulation, and efforts by officials to curb press freedoms through legislative measures.

The revelations surrounding Cohen's alleged attempts to influence the ICC and the broader crackdown on press freedom have drawn international attention and condemnation. Human rights organizations and media watchdogs have raised alarms over the implications for democratic norms and the rule of law.

As the controversy deepens, questions linger about the extent of governmental interference in the media landscape and the erosion of democratic principles in Israel. Critics warn that unchecked censorship and intimidation could undermine accountability and transparency, ultimately jeopardizing the country's democratic fabric.