Israel Police have begun examining allegations against Haaretz journalist Uri Misgav after Yair Netanyahu accused him of publishing sensitive information about his Miami residence, security arrangements and movements, according to a report Wednesday evening by Channel 13 News journalist Aviad Glickman.
The police are currently collecting material related to Misgav, but Glickman emphasized that the process has not yet reached the stage of a formal criminal investigation. Authorities have also not sought permission from the Attorney General to investigate Misgav over conduct connected to his journalistic work.
The police examination comes several days after Netanyahu’s attorney, Uriel Nizri, submitted a complaint to the Israel Police Commissioner and sent copies to the head of the Shin Bet and the Attorney General. Nizri alleged that Misgav used social media posts to reveal information about where Netanyahu was living in Miami, how he was being protected and details concerning his movements and travel.
Netanyahu’s complaint contends that the disclosures were especially dangerous because of an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate him. The letter claims that individuals acting for Iranian intelligence made their way to the entrance of Netanyahu’s Miami residence, forcing the Shin Bet agents protecting him to confront “an Iranian terrorist cell at the doorstep.”
According to the complaint, Misgav disclosed highly specific information about Netanyahu’s residence, allegedly including the building’s name, the floor and apartment number. The letter also accuses the journalist of revealing information about Netanyahu’s protective detail, including the number of guards assigned to him and how their shifts were arranged, along with his travel patterns and information about flights and departure times.
Nizri maintained that the disclosures did not amount to an isolated incident, describing Misgav’s conduct as “systematic, consistent and ongoing” activity. According to the attorney, the published information effectively offered hostile elements a “road map” to Netanyahu’s security setup and its possible weak points, placing both Netanyahu and the personnel assigned to protect him in danger.
Netanyahu consequently called on authorities to open a criminal and security investigation into Misgav and place him under arrest. His attorney alleged that Misgav’s actions could constitute a number of serious offenses, including assisting an enemy during wartime, supplying information to an enemy with the intention of damaging state security, intentionally placing lives at risk and compromising the safety of individuals under official protection.
Glickman pointed out, however, that an investigation of a journalist over actions undertaken as part of his professional work requires approval from the Attorney General. Police have not requested that authorization thus far. He also raised questions about why Netanyahu’s attorney’s letter was enough to trigger the preliminary police examination when, according to Glickman, Yair Netanyahu himself had not appeared at a police station to formally submit a complaint.
{Matzav.com}
