Israeli Military Censor Issues Instructions for Coverage of War in Iraq

FAS Note: The following are translations of messages sent to Israeli publications, including online publications, by Israel's chief military censor, Brig. Gen. Rachel Dolev. The Hebrew originals may be viewed here.

STATE OF ISRAEL
NEWSPAPER AND MEDIA CENSORSHIP
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CENSOR
P.O. BOX 7003, TEL AVIV 61070

Date: March 19, 2003

To: Rotter.net

Subject: Censorship instructions - American Attack on Iraq

Given the current security situation, you are reminded that it is required to submit [for the Censor's review] all materials that could pose a threat to the security of the State of Israel and its residents, in accordance with the list of topics that is in your possession.

In particular, it is prohibited to publish the following details without prior permission of the Censor:

1. Precise locations of missile impacts. In live broadcasts, it is permitted to identify impact locations as the Tel Aviv region, the Haifa region, or the Jerusalem region exclusively. Anything more than that requires the permission of the Censor, or publication of an authorized announcement from the Homefront Command. In any event, it is forbidden to publicize the fall of a missile into the sea or in locations designated as strategic.
2. It is prohibited to publish the type of missile until publication of an authorized announcement from the IDF Spokesman, and it is prohibited to publish correspondents' reports on the subject, given the danger to human life from an unauthorized report.
3. IDF operations in any sector, operational plans, mobilization of reserves.
4. Collaboration with foreign parties.
5. Cabinet discussions.

STATE OF ISRAEL
NEWSPAPER AND MEDIA CENSORSHIP
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CENSOR
P.O. BOX 7003, TEL AVIV 61070

To: Scoops Forum and Fresh News Site (fresh.co.il)

Subject: Censorship instructions - American Attack on Iraq

Given the current security situation, you are reminded that it is required to submit [for the Censor's review] all materials that could pose a threat to the security of the State of Israel and its residents, in accordance with the list of topics that is in your possession.

In particular, it is prohibited to publish the following details without prior permission of the Censor:

1. Precise locations of missile impacts. In live broadcasts, it is permitted to identify impact locations as the Tel Aviv region, the Haifa region, or the Jerusalem region exclusively. Anything more than that requires the permission of the Censor, or publication of an authorized announcement from the Homefront Command. In any event, it is forbidden to publicize the fall of a missile into the sea or in locations designated as strategic.
2. It is prohibited to publish the type of missile until publication of an authorized announcement from the IDF Spokesman, and it is prohibited to publish correspondents' reports on the subject, given the danger to human life from an unauthorized report.
3. IDF operations in any sector, operational plans, mobilization of reserves.
4. Collaboration with foreign parties.
5. Cabinet discussions.

In these times, your extra sensitivity to fulfillment of the Censor's instructions is requested. Given the circumstances, I know I can count on your full cooperation, as required.

Censorship facilities:

Tel Aviv Censorship Base

Jerusalem Censorship Base

In addition, censors will be working 24 hours a day in the two media centers -- in the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, and in the David Intercontinental in Tel Aviv -- and you may also turn to them.

I request that you direct reporters in general, and field correspondents who broadcast live as well as relevant internet sites in particular, to follow these instructions.

Sincerely,

Brig. Gen. Rachel Dolev
Chief Censor