Activist accused of harassing reporters appears at Knesset session on press safety

An activist who was recently questioned by the police about his alleged harassment of a TV correspondent spoke today during a hearing on violence against journalists convened by the Knesset’s National Security Committee, Channel 12 reports.

The session — titled “Lack of enforcement against serial harassers of journalists and protesters, and a real danger to human life” — was held at the opposition’s request.

Right-wing activist Mordechai David, who is under a restraining order barring him from the home of MK Gilad Kariv of The Democrats, and who was questioned last week on suspicion of threatening Channel 12 correspondent Guy Peleg after a speaking event in Tel Aviv, was reportedly in attendance and was greeted with applause by some of those present.

At the opening of the discussion, Kariv reportedly said: “Despite the restraining order issued by the police against Mordechai David, he has now arrived at the National Security Committee’s discussion on the harassment of journalists.”

Later in the meeting, David took the floor, saying, “I never broke into MKs’ homes…I ask questions gently and politely, and I don’t curse or insult. So let all the squawkers keep crying and run to the police.”

According to Haaretz, in response to criticism over David’s presence despite the restraining order against him, the Knesset said: “The restraining order applies to the MK’s home, not to the Knesset. The police have no authority to enforce it inside the building, and responsibility for complying with it lies with the individual subject to the order.”