US journalist arrested in Israel over reporting on Iranian missiles

CPJ - New York, October 11, 2024-The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by Israel's arrest of American journalist Jeremy Loffredo over his reporting of Iranian missiles' impact on Israel, calls for his immediate release, and for journalists to be allowed to do their jobs freely. On October 8, 2024, Loffredo, an independent journalist who works with the privately owned outlet The Grayzone, was arrested 'on suspicion of serious security offenses for publicly publishing… the locations of missile drops near or inside sensitive security facilities, with the aim of bringing this to the notice of the enemy and thereby assisting them in their future attacks,' according to a statement by his outlet, YNet, and The Intercept. On October 11, Grayzone Editor Max Blumenthal and the7theye reported that 'the district court in Israel has ordered US journalist Jeremy Loffredo to be released from custody but has forbidden him from leaving the country for a period of time.' The Intercept said that Loffredo was ordered to stay in the country till October 20. 'We are deeply concerned by the arrest of journalist Jeremy Loffredo in Israel, which highlights the high level of censorship in the country since the war started, and the ban on him leaving the country,' said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna. 'All journalists should be allowed to do their jobs freely and unconditionally to provide the public with important information on an escalating war.' The charges stem from Loffredo's report showing the aftermath of Iranian attacks on military and intelligence targets inside Israel. The outlet added it 'unequivocally rejects these outrageous accusations from Israeli police.' YNet said that 'charges against him include aiding the enemy during wartime and providing information to the enemy.' Loffredo's attorney, Leah Tsemel, told YNet that 'he published the information openly and fully, without attempting to hide anything. If this information constitutes aiding the enemy, many other journalists in Israel, including Israeli reporters, should also be arrested. A spy would not have acted so publicly and transparently.' CPJ emailed the IDF's North America Media Desk and the Israeli police inquiring about the charges, whereabouts and location of Loffredo, but didn't immediately receive any response. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon