“Haaretz” is considered a secular, critical voice in Israel’s media landscape. Not everyone in government likes the reporting. The communications minister is preparing punitive measures against the newspaper.
The Israeli government coalition is angry about Haaretz and is preparing measures against the liberal newspaper. Haaretz reports that Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has presented a catalog of measures that would, among other things, ban all payments from government agencies to the paper – such as money for advertisements or government announcements.
Karhi, who is a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, accused the newspaper of acting as a “mouthpiece for the enemies” of the country. The newspaper quotes from a letter from the minister to Haaretz. It goes on to say that the newspaper uses disinformation and destructive propaganda to undermine Israel’s war goals.
State subscriptions could be eliminated
According to Haaretz, Karhi’s catalog of measures also includes the termination of all subscriptions that go to government agencies or their employees. This includes the army, ministries, police and prisons as well as all state-owned companies. Karhi’s paper is being submitted to Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs for a decision; a legal assessment is still pending, it is said.
Karhi also indirectly threatened the paper with martial law: “It could be that some of the newspaper’s publications even exceed the limits of what is permitted under the penal code in times of war.”
“Time to read ‘Haaretz'”
Newspaper editor Amos Schocken made a combative statement: “If the government wants to close ‘Haaretz’, it’s time to read ‘Haaretz’.”
Journalists’ Union is indignant
The Israeli journalists’ union UJI condemned the move as a “populist move without rhyme or reason” that targets “responsible journalists who work day and night to independently report on the war.” It is certain that the Haaretz editorial team will “continue their important work for the good of Israel and will not be intimidated by the stupid, empty threats,” the UJI continued.
The liberal “Haaretz” has been published in Hebrew since 1919, and there has also been an English edition since 1997. It is considered a secular, critical authority in the country and advocates a clear separation of state and religion.