Turkey condemns arrest of two journalists in Tel Aviv

15:30

Turkish authorities have condemned the arrest of two journalists in Tel Aviv who were covering the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to statements from Turkish officials and Israeli police on Tuesday.

Emrah Cakmak, a reporter for CNN Türk, and Halil Kahraman, a cameraman, were detained while reporting live from the city, the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS) said on social media. Burhanettin Duran, communications director for the Turkish presidency, criticized Israel for “attacks against the press” and assured that efforts are underway to secure the journalists’ immediate release.

The TGS emphasized that the reporters were covering U.S. and Israeli operations in Iran to provide updates to Turkish audiences. Israeli police stated that the journalists were detained after allegedly filming a security installation and presenting expired press credentials. Footage released by CNN Türk shows the journalists being stopped while filming near the Israeli Ministry of Defense complex.

According to Israeli authorities, “Following a call regarding two suspects with cameras broadcasting live on foreign media, police arrived on site, interrupted the live feed, and carried out an inspection. The suspects identified themselves as journalists but presented expired press cards and were taken in for questioning.” Israeli military censorship prohibits live reporting during air alerts and the disclosure of precise impact locations.

The TGS condemned the arrests as a violation of press freedom and called on Israeli authorities to release the journalists, highlighting the risks media personnel face in conflict zones.