A high-ranking official of the Israel Embassy in Washington has criticized an embassy spokesmen who accused Israeli soldiers of “encouraging civil disobedience” in Israel by their statements on American television, Haaretz reported Wednesday.
According to Haaretz correspondent Zvi Barel, the spokesman, Yossi Gal, sent a cable to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem complaining that “self righteous statements” made on American television by Israelis have seriously damaged Israel.
“I am referring particularly to soldiers and officers who state in fluent English that they don’t want to serve in the (administered) territories, and these beautiful Israelis are encouraging civil disobedience on the part of other Israeli citizens,” Gal charged according to Haaretz.
In response, a high-ranking embassy official not identified by Barel, stated, “It’s clear to all of us that the difficulties in Israeli hasbara (information dissemination) are in fact linked to flying rocks and casualties and not to the TV appearance of Israelis,” Haartz reported.
Haaretz military correspondent Reuven Pedatzur reported Wednesday that press photographers and television camera crews are complaining they are arbitrarily barred from areas of disturbances by Israel Defense Force soldiers who produce “pre-stamped orders” declaring the areas are closed.
An IDF spokesman said in response that “no region is closed off to (press) coverage alone. When an area is closed, no one can enter.”
Meanwhile, charges have been dropped against an ABC television network reporter who was accused by the IDF last week of having paid youngsters in the Gaza Strip to burn tires in the street for the benefit of his cameras.
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