Israeli journalist faces threats after reporting alleged sexual abuse of prisoner

Washington, DC, November 17, 2025 – The Committee to Protect Journalists deplores the escalating threats and harassment against Channel 12 Israeli journalist Guy Peleg in apparent retaliation for his reporting on the alleged abuse of a prisoner at an Israeli detention facility.

Following his August 2024 exposé, which aired a leaked video allegedly showing Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention centre, Peleg has come  under attack from right-wing activists and politicians, including Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu who suggested the journalist would be jailed. 

The footage, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as “cooked up”, “edited,” and causing “unspeakable damage to the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces,” has ignited a wider national controversy and a fierce public debate over military accountability.

“Instead of intimidating journalists who expose serious abuses, Israeli officials should be safeguarding their ability to report,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “The threats against Guy Peleg are unacceptable and contribute to a climate of fear around publishing critical reporting on Israel’s security establishment.”

In a video posted online on November 12, right-wing activist Mordechai David can be seen shouting at Peleg as he left a building in Tel Aviv, saying, “Why did you distribute a video about IDF soldiers? Guy Peleg, anywhere in the world you will need a police escort to get to your car so that you don’t get blocked.” The activist, joined by at least two others, then prevented Peleg from entering his vehicle. 

Peleg later filed a police complaint against the activist. CPJ reached out to the Israeli police for comment on the filed complaint, but received no response.

During his radio show on 103 FM, Peleg described the pressure as a “manifestation of rising political extremism.” Referring to the activist who blocked his car, he said, “The problem is that he’s not alone. The problem is that he is embraced by central ministers in the government.” 

On November 4, Israeli news outlet Haaretz reported that Peleg was assigned a security detail after protesters demonstrated outside of his home. Two days later, a member of the detail was reportedly detained by officers from the Ministry of National Security Firearms Division while waiting for Peleg outside a radio studio.

This comes amid an escalating government crackdown on the media, including a Knesset vote advancing a law to allow authorities to unilaterally close foreign media outlets, and Defense Minister Israel Katz’s announcement that the Israeli military radio station would be shuttered, saying the platform is “harming the war effort and morale.” 

Separately, a defamation suit was filed against Haaretz reporter Uri Misgav on behalf of the accused IDF unit for his social media commentary on the Sde Teiman case.