Channel 14 Reporter Criticizes Military Censor Over Hegseth Visit Leak
Channel 14 reporter Moti Kastel criticized the Military Censor after a report on US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's secret visit to Israel was blocked for his outlet but published by Channel 12.
Channel 14 reporter Moti Kastel criticized the Military Censor on Tuesday after an embargoed report regarding US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's secret visit to Israel was blocked for his outlet, but later broadcast by Channel 12.
Secret Visit and Censorship Dispute
According to Channel 12, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived in Israel unannounced by the Pentagon and held an extended meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The report noted that the information was based on two sources familiar with the details.
Kastel claimed that Channel 14 attempted to publish the story earlier, but the Censor rejected it entirely. Kastel wrote on social media:
The news I submitted to the Censor in the early evening was completely rejected, yet later published by Channel 12. The Censor insisted that any wording would harm state security.
Details of the Meeting
Kastel later published additional details that were cleared for release, stating that Hegseth and Netanyahu met at an air force base. According to the reports, Netanyahu flew to the location from Ben Gurion Airport, which caused the cancellation of his planned visit to a soccer match at Teddy Stadium.
Kastel demanded an investigation into how the decisions were made, questioning whether selective enforcement was applied and accusing competing networks of repeatedly endangering national security.
