JERUSALEM: The Israeli authorities confiscated camera equipment belonging to the Associated Press on Tuesday (May 21), before reversing course in the face of widespread condemnation from media groups and criticism even from its closest ally, the United States.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said in a statement he had ordered officials to cancel the original decision and return the confiscated equipment, pending a decision by the Ministry of Defence, which he said wished to examine the issue.
The Israeli Communications Ministry had earlier accused the AP of breaking the law by providing a live broadcast to Al Jazeera, which it placed under a temporary ban earlier this month, accusing it of endangering national security.
The agency said it was ordered to shut down a live feed showing a view into Gaza from the Israeli town of Sderot, saying this was not based on content but “an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law”.
“The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment,” AP spokesperson Lauren Easton said.
The media law, passed in April, allows the government to order foreign broadcasters to temporarily cease operations on grounds of national security.
