Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Israeli TV network criticized for broadcasting from Mecca

“I would like to reiterate that [it] was not intended to offend Muslims or any other person. If anyone takes offense to this video, I deeply apologize,” wrote news editor Gil Tamary.

Channel 13 news editor Gil Tamary takes a selfie in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 2022. Credit: Channel 13 news.
Channel 13 news editor Gil Tamary takes a selfie in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 2022. Credit: Channel 13 news.

Israeli Channel 13 chief international news editor Gil Tamary is facing criticism for breaking a Saudi ban on non-Muslims visiting Mecca.

The report of his visit aired on Monday. By Tuesday, Tamary had profusely apologized on Twitter for the appearance.

“Disclaimer: I would like to reiterate that this visit to Mecca was not intended to offend Muslims or any other person. If anyone takes offense to this video, I deeply apologize,” he said. “The purpose of this entire endeavor was to showcase the importance of Mecca and the beauty.”

Tamary again apologized in another tweet, stating, “Once again, if anyone was hurt by or offended by this, I apologize wholeheartedly. We had no such intention.”

https://twitter.com/newsisrael13/status/1549059304870842369?s=20&t=3_me_j8HCd5rXn80Nl9EFQ

NYPD said the investigation into the death of Albert Itzkowitz, 75, a former Hatzolah volunteer and kosher bakery owner, remains ongoing and that no arrests have been made.
“At a time when Jewish Americans are facing a deeply troubling rise in violence and harassment, it is critical to recognize organizations that have spent generations standing up to hate and defending the truth,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. said.
Rabbi Jason Rosner, of Congregation B’nai Emet, told JNS that “we are prepared to evacuate our Torahs if necessary.”
The PAC’s co-chairs stated that Ammar Campa-Najjar is “the only candidate campaigning on a progressive agenda in this race.”
“This settlement reaffirms a basic principle, which is that American law cannot tolerate taxpayer dollars flowing to a system that rewards terrorism,” Mark Goldfeder, CEO and director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, told JNS.
The International Roundnet Federation no longer plans to bar the team from displaying an Israeli flag or symbols at the championships but warned that further accusations of antisemitism might lead to legal action.