JERUSALEM

Israeli newspaper Haaretz published details of a security scandal involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu related to the appointment of a spokesman who participated in “sensitive security sessions.”

The scandal involved the appointment of Netanyahu’s spokesman “even though he had not passed security clearance.”

He said the spokesman, whose name was not revealed, participated in “sensitive security sessions.”

Additionally, it reported Friday that Netanyahu’s spokesman leaked information and documents, some of which were simply “lies” about the former head of the Palestinian group Hamas political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, to foreign newspapers, while other documents contained “serious and sensitive security issues. materials.”

The newspaper noted that it is certain that this employee participated in closed and sensitive security consultations and “continued to receive classified information, including transcripts of cabinet meetings.”

Israel’s Channel 7 said that “military censorship has imposed a publication ban on this issue or scandal,” while Netanyahu is demanding the publication ban be lifted, citing a desire for transparency.

The channel confirmed that Netanyahu’s spokesman “did not have any security clearance.”

The Hebrew-language Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported Friday that an Interior Ministry directive includes suspending cooperation with Haaretz due to comments by its editor, Amos Schocken.

The ministry has demanded an apology from Schocken for his description of Palestinians.

In a later press conference, Schocken regretted his comments.

“I have reconsidered my words… As for Hamas, they are not freedom fighters,” he said.

In his comments, Schocken criticized the Netanyahu government, saying it “does not care about imposing a cruel apartheid regime on the Palestinian population. “It dismisses the costs to both sides of defending the settlements while fighting Palestinian freedom fighters, whom Israel calls terrorists.”

He referred to the situation in Gaza as a “second Nakba” or “Catastrophe,” alluding to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in 1948, when Israel was founded, and called for sanctions on Israel, saying this is the only way to achieve a Palestinian state.

Following Schocken’s statements, the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sports announced that it would immediately cease all advertising and collaboration with Haaretz.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive against Gaza since a Hamas attack last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.

Since then, more than 43,300 people have died, mostly women and children, and more than 102,000 have been injured, according to local health authorities.

Israel also faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

*Written by Rania Abu Shamala

The Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news offered to subscribers on AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summary form. Please contact us for subscription options.