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PM during event
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Al-Jazeera reporter asked to remove bra by Shin Bet

Arabic news channel crew decides to shun foreign correspondents event hosted by prime minister after female reporter asked to remove bra during security check at entrance to hall

Embarrassment during PM Benjamin Netanyahu's annual foreign correspondents toast – an al-Jazeera reporter based in Israel was asked to remove her bra by Shin Bet personnel during a security check at the entrance to the event hall in Jerusalem.

 

The reporter refused to comply and was not allowed into to the hall. Other reporters, including Turkish correspondents, complained of extremely meticulous security inspections that they claimed were humiliating. The Turkish reporters were eventually let into the hall.

 

Following the incident, the al-Jazeera reporter approached Government Press Office Director Oren Helman, who organized the event, and told him that due to the Shin Bet's demands, all al-Jazeera correspondents decided to shun the event.

 

Responding to the incident, Helman said "during the event, we tried to facilitate the quick and easy entrance of foreign reporters into the hall, and even sent an announcement detailing the hours of admission ahead of time.

 

"I regret any mishap, but it is solely the responsibility of the Shin Bet," he said.

 

The General Security Service stated in response, "All guests were subjected to a security check in accordance with the customary security procedures in such events. Three female reporters refused to be examined under these procedures and decided not to attend the event."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.12.11, 00:00
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