What it is about:

Several Israeli journalists from Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth have received threatening phone calls in broken Hebrew from individuals who identify as “Anonymous for Justice.” These calls are suspected to originate from Iran, with one message explicitly threatening to reveal information about Israel’s defense minister if the Gaza conflict continues.

Why it matters:

The calls underscore the persistent threats faced by Israel from regional adversaries. The involvement of Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, indicates the seriousness with which these threats are being treated. This marks a clear attempt by possibly Iranian actors to intimidate Israeli media and influence the country’s policy decisions regarding Gaza.

Details:

Journalists Ran Boker and Shilo Freid received the calls, with one message to Boker stating, “Pass my message to your superiors. We gave your superiors time to stop the war in Gaza, but they are not listening.” Similar calls have been reported by several other journalists, including Sharon Kidon, the host of Ynet’s Hebrew podcast HaKoteret. Kidon was warned that something incriminating would be published about the defense minister if the conflict wasn’t halted.

Gilad Carmeli, head of Ynet’s news desk, also received a call warning him that the Israeli government was endangering national security. These threats reflect an ongoing campaign that might be aimed at destabilizing Israeli morale and security policies through psychological warfare.

Conclusion:

The Shin Bet is currently investigating these harassment calls, addressing a pressing security issue for the journalists involved and the nation as a whole. Despite the intimidation attempts, Israeli journalists and security forces remain undeterred in their commitment to reporting the truth and safeguarding national security.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.