Ben Gvir says police hunting down anyone filming missile strike locations, celebrating Iran

Speaking from the scene of this morning’s Iranian missile strike in Petah Tikva, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir pledges to crack down on both foreign media and “expressions of joy” at Iranian attacks.

Ben Gvir says that foreign networks put lives at risk by broadcasting the locations of missile impacts, allowing those who launch the projectiles to better triangulate their fire. He says he turned to the Shin Bet regarding the matter and ultimately decided that the police would also take part in efforts to crack down on the activity.

“Broadcasts that show exactly where the missiles land on the State of Israel are a danger to the security of the state and I expect that anyone who does this will be treated as someone who harms the security of the state,” he says.

Earlier, Ben Gvir’s office announced that police and Communications Ministry officials had gone into the field to track down the source of what was thought was an Al Jazeera broadcast in the Haifa area, where missile barrages have targeted sensitive facilities.

“The photographers and reporters on the spot were checked, and it was found that they were not Al Jazeera or Al Mayadeen reporters, but rather other foreign broadcasting channels, for which there is no blanket prohibition on filming – as long as they did not violate censorship regulations,” Ben Gvir’s office said.

Following the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, the Knesset banned both Al Jazeera and the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen networks on national security grounds.

Ben Gvir also announces “zero tolerance” for celebrations in support of the Iranian attacks, saying that “police have arrested quite a few people” and prison guards have cracked down among inmates expressing joy over the strikes.

“Zero patience for those who support Iran,” he says. “Supporting Iran is supporting terrorism, and those who support terrorism should be in custody.”