'Israel's' Channel 12 offices attacked over Sde Teiman coverage

• A masked attacker vandalized 'Israel's' Channel 12 offices in Tel Aviv and threatened to kill journalists unless the broadcaster apologized for its coverage of the Sde Teiman detainee abuse case.
• The incident, the second attack on the broadcaster in less than a month, drew widespread condemnation and prompted a police investigation.

A masked assailant smashed the glass entrance of 'Israel's' Channel 12 offices in Tel Aviv overnight, leaving a death threat demanding the broadcaster apologize for its reporting on the Sde Teiman detainee abuse case.

משליך לבנים ונמלט: תיעוד ניפוץ דלת הכניסה לבניין חדשות 12 בתל אביבhttps://t.co/9ICturRoei | @Noam92Cohen pic.twitter.com/EAcdCktmrh

— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) July 28, 2026

The attack occurred at about 1:12 a.m. Tuesday and was captured by surveillance cameras. It marked the second attack targeting the network's offices in less than a month.

The attacker shattered the glass door with two bricks and left a handwritten note threatening further violence.

"So long as you don't ask forgiveness for the Sde Teiman affair, I won't stop," the note read.

לאחר ניפוץ דלת חדשות 12 - הנשיא שוחח עם מפכ"ל המשטרה: "אסור לקבל מציאות שבה אלימות משמשת כלי להפחדה"https://t.co/9ICturRoei pic.twitter.com/akRQo4sg91

— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) July 28, 2026

It warned that "next time the brick will be directed at one of your heads" and claimed that "someone will die" if the broadcaster failed to issue an apology.

The note also listed several public figures the attacker described as "traitors from within," including former military and security officials, opposition politicians, and anti-government activists.

The Sde Teiman controversy began after surveillance footage allegedly showing the abuse of a Palestinian detainee by 'Israeli' soldiers at the detention facility was leaked to 'Israel's' Channel 12 in 2024.

The leak sparked widespread debate, with critics condemning the alleged abuse while others accused the media of misrepresenting the incident.

Military police arrested several suspects, triggering protests by right-wing activists who stormed military bases in an attempt to halt the arrests. No indictments were filed against those involved in the break-ins.

In late 2025, former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned after it was revealed she had leaked the footage to the media and later denied doing so. She is facing criminal charges, while charges against the five reservists accused of abusing the Palestinian detainee were eventually dropped.

'Israel's' Channel 12 blamed escalating rhetoric against the media for encouraging attacks on journalists and called on authorities to act swiftly.

"The government and the communications minister must cease its inciting and unrestrained condemnations of the free media," the broadcaster said, adding that it would not be intimidated by "legislation, incitement, or violence."

'Israeli' President Isaac Herzog discussed the incident with Police Commissioner Daniel Levy, who said police had opened an investigation and were treating the attack with "great severity."

The Union of Journalists in Israel condemned the assault, warning that repeated attacks reflected a worsening climate for press freedom and accusing political rhetoric against journalists of contributing to violence.

Opposition leaders, including Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, and Yair Golan, also denounced the attack, with some accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of fueling hostility toward the media through sustained criticism.

Far-right lawmaker Zvi Sukkot and the right-wing organization Im Tirtzu also condemned the attack and called for the perpetrator to be brought to justice.