Israel’s Channel 12 News last week tried to sneak a microphone into a closed-door meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and families of Israelis killed in captivity in Gaza, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The listening device, planted by Channel 12 reporter Yolan Cohen, was detected during a security check ahead of the Thursday meeting, Netanyahu’s office said.
Cohen, 34, who covers the hostages’ families and frequently uses leaked audio in her reports, had been warned against such a move that morning after officials got wind of her plans, the statement continued.
The PMO accused Channel 12 of being a “propaganda channel” that is “willing to harm even the families of hostages just to goad Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
“This is an extremely serious incident and a violation of the law,” the statement continued.
The top-rated TV channel has long been a vociferous critic of Netanyahu.
Channel 12 had not responded to a request for comment at time of publication.
