Israel daily Haaretz exposes Netanyahu's security scandal

The scandal involved in appointing Netanyahu's spokesperson "although he had not passed the security clearance."

The report said the spokesperson, whose name was not disclosed, took part in “sensitive security sessions.”

According to reports, Netanyahu's spokesperson has leaked information and documents, some of which were just “lies" about the former head of the Palestinian group Hamas's political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, to foreign newspapers, while other documents contained "serious and sensitive security materials."

The newspaper noted that it is certain that this employee participated in closed and sensitive security consultations and “continued to receive classified information, including transcripts of cabinet meetings.”

Israel's Channel 7 said that "military censorship has imposed a ban on publishing regarding this issue or scandal," while Netanyahu is demanding the lifting of the publication ban, claiming a desire for transparency.

The channel confirmed that Netanyahu's spokesperson "did not have any security clearance."

The ministry has demanded an apology from Schocken for his description of Palestinians.

At a subsequent press conference, Schocken expressed regret for his comments.

“I have reconsidered my words…As for Hamas, they are not freedom fighters,” he said.

In his remarks, Schocken criticized Netanyahu’s government, saying it “doesn't care about imposing a cruel apartheid regime on the Palestinian population. It dismisses the costs of both sides for defending the settlements while fighting the Palestinian freedom fighters, which Israel calls terrorists."

He referred to the situation in Gaza as a "second Nakba” or “Catastrophe,” alluding to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in 1948, when Israel was founded, and called for sanctions on Israel, saying that this is the only way to achieve a Palestinian state.

Following Schocken's remarks, Israel’s Ministry of Culture and Sports announced that it would immediately cease all advertising and collaborations with Haaretz. Source: Anadolu Agency