Israel confiscates AP news agency’s equipment and halts Gaza live feed over security concerns

Israeli officials made headlines on Tuesday (May 21) after confiscating a camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to news agency The Associated Press (AP). The move was justified under a new media law, with Israel accusing the AP of providing images and videos from Gaza to Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera. The country’s Communication Ministry issued a statement vowing to take action against broadcasters that harm national interests.

The seizure of the equipment resulted in the collapse of AP’s live feed from Gaza, prompting the news agency to condemn Israel’s decision and call for a reversal. AP’s vice president of corporate communications, Lauren Easton, expressed strong disapproval of the Israeli government’s actions, labeling them as an abuse of the foreign broadcaster law.

The Israeli government had previously issued a directive to AP on May 16, which the news agency had refused to comply with. However, on Tuesday, Israeli officials seized the equipment altogether, citing violations of the foreign broadcaster law. This law empowers the government to shut down any broadcast by foreign media that poses a threat to state security.

Notably, Doha-based news channel Al Jazeera has been banned from Israel since May 5, with similar accusations of jeopardizing national security. The government had taken similar actions against Al Jazeera, including seizing equipment, banning broadcasts, and blocking its website. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between media outlets and governments in the region.