Police Decline to Investigate Channel 14 Over Incitement Allegations
The Israel Police and Attorney General told the Supreme Court they will not investigate Channel 14 over hundreds of controversial statements broadcast since October 7.
The Israel Police informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has decided not to open a criminal investigation against Channel 14 over hundreds of statements broadcast since October 7, which petitioners argued constituted incitement to war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The police and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara asked the court to reject the petition filed by the Israeli Democratic Block, the Zulat Institute for Equality and Human Rights, and the Movement for Fair Regulation.
Content of the Petition
The petition included a database of more than 200 statements broadcast on the channel, which petitioners claimed featured calls for destruction, mass killing, and indiscriminate harm to civilians. They argued that this represents a systematic and ongoing editorial line requiring an investigation into the liability of speakers, editors, and management.
Among the remarks cited were comments by Itamar Fleischman on the channel's flagship program "The Patriots," calling for "total destruction"; remarks by Yakov Bardugo urging the military to "bomb without distinction" and "not to distinguish between involved and uninvolved"; and further statements by Fleischman on "Riklin & Co." calling to "destroy, kill, and annihilate" and to leave "only ashes."
Response and Legal Arguments
"By deciding not to investigate, the highest law enforcement authorities of Israel are giving a green light to systematic incitement to war crimes and genocide, provided they are directed against Palestinians," stated Adv. Michael Sfard, representing the petitioners.
Channel 14 welcomed the decision, stating that its full response would be broadcast during "The Patriots" program in the evening.
