Threatening graffiti sprayed across the exterior of Channel 13’s headquarters has renewed alarm over the increasingly hostile environment facing Israeli journalists, particularly those reporting on politically explosive security matters. The message, “The blood of traitors will yet be published,” appeared overnight on the broadcaster’s building in Tel Aviv, prompting the network to file a police complaint and condemn what it called “a dangerous escalation.”
Channel 13 said the incident must be treated as more than vandalism, describing it as part of a surge in targeted threats toward journalists. “This is a grave crossing of a red line,” the network said, urging police to take swift action. The latest incident comes amid sustained harassment of reporters covering an array of politically sensitive topics.
Among those targeted is Channel 12 legal correspondent Guy Peleg, who was the first to publish the leaked footage, in August 2024, that allegedly shows soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman base in the Negev. The video – later confirmed as authentic – ignited a national scandal and ultimately led to the resignation of former Military Advocate-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who admitted to leaking the material.
Five reserve soldiers were subsequently arrested and indicted for abusing a restrained detainee.
An aggressive intimidation campaign focused on Peleg
Following his reporting, Peleg became the focus of an aggressive intimidation campaign. Right-wing activists tracked him in public, confronted him outside his home, and plastered a giant banner calling for his arrest over a Tel Aviv highway. Channel 12 assigned him security protection after he received explicit threats. Press-freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the harassment as a direct reprisal for reporting on a case implicating both military personnel and top legal officials.
Likewise, the climate in and outside the Tel Aviv District Court – where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial continues – has been similarly hostile. Journalists covering the proceedings have described regular instances of being shouted down, filmed at close range, followed to their cars, and subjected to coordinated attempts to intimidate or delegitimize them.