Israeli reporters in hot water for visiting Lebanon, Syria

 

Israeli police said on Thursday that they will recommend charges be brought against three journalists who traveled without state permission to “enemy states” Lebanon and Syria. “We intend to ask prosecutors to indict the three journalists as with their illegal acts they not only put their lives in danger, but also the security of Israel,” the officer in charge of the case, Alon Sharabani, said.

 

He identified the reporters as Ron Ben Yishai of the Yediot Ahronot daily who in September traveled to Syria, and two journalists who traveled to Lebanon – Lisa Goldman of the private Channel 10 television station and Tzur Shizaf of a geographic magazine.

 

The three reporters hold both Israeli and foreign passports, on which they entered the “enemy states” – countries with which Israel is technically at war.
 

The Israeli police had announced that they view the accusation that Israeli citizens are traveling to “enemy states” with the utmost seriousness, even if they employ foreign passports.

 

Additionally, police sources added that apart from the risk to personal safety involved in their journey, the reporters” journey to these countries endangers Israel”s security.

 

Israeli legislation prohibits the citizens of the Jewish state, even those who hold multiple nationalities, from traveling to “enemy states” without permission from the Interior Ministry – an offense punishable with up to four years in prison.