Gantz calls on A-G, state prosecuter to 'examine necessity' of 'Post' editor's house arrest

Gantz stated that to investigate or arrest a journalist are “extremely exceptional events in a democracy” that should only happen when there is “clear and solid criminal suspicion.” 

  Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post Zvika Klein speaks during the The Jerusalem Post New York conference on June 03, 2024 in New York City. ( (photo credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post Zvika Klein speaks during the The Jerusalem Post New York conference on June 03, 2024 in New York City. (
(photo credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Investigating or arresting a journalist is “extremely exceptional events in a democracy” that should only happen when there is “clear and solid criminal suspicion,” National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz responded on Wednesday to the house arrest of The Jerusalem Post’s editor-in-chief, Zvika Klein.

He called on the attorney-general and state prosecutor to “thoroughly examine the necessity of the house arrest of the Post’s editor.. The potential harm to freedom of the press, which is a fundamental value in democracy, must be taken into account in decision-making.”

Qatargate

Klein was named on Tuesday as the journalist who was questioned by police the day before as part of the investigation into actions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein.

During Klein’s testimony as a witness, he was cautioned, but the nature of any allegations against him has not been specified.

Last year, Klein visited Qatar at the direct invitation of the Gulf state’s government and wrote a series of articles for the Post on his meetings with officials following his return.

“The arrest and investigation of a journalist could severely damage information confidentiality and journalistic source protection, and could create a chilling effect on other journalists,” Israel’s Journalists Organization stated.

“In the past two days, the organization has conducted and continues to conduct thorough examinations with the law enforcement agencies involved in the matter and maintains continuous contact with them. We were told that during his investigation, the journalist was not asked about his journalistic sources.”