Israel: Protestors Block Noga Nir Neeman’s Car, Bang on Vehicle
Proposed judicial reforms have led to major protests across the country
Location: Israel, Tel Aviv
Date: July 23, 2023
Channel 13 journalist Noga Nir Neeman was reporting on demonstrations demanding judicial reforms to be pushed through parliament when protestors blocked her car and started banging on her vehicle. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has been following the protests closely, in which, on previous occasions, journalists have been injured trying to cover the events. We call on protestors to allow journalists to do their job without fear of being hurt and urge the police to ensure the media’s safety during the demonstrations.
Noga Nir Neeman, a broadcast journalist with the privately owned Channel 13, was reporting on ongoing protests in Tel Aviv when protestors blocked her car from moving forward, yelling "shame, shame," and banging on the vehicle. Eyewitnesses say protestors gathered around Neeman’s car when they recognized the reporter.
While luckily Neeman did not get hurt, an N12 journalist and a Channel 13 journalist were physically assaulted during the same demonstrations.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets over the weekend, demanding parliament block a controversial legislative plan curbing judiciary powers, including the supreme court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions. Behind the reform is the right-wing Kohety Policy Forum, a think tank founded by an American Israeli and funded by a U.S. libertarian billionaire.
In response to the calls to block the legislation, tens of thousands of conservative pro-judiciary reform demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday, where they attacked the media workers.
Attacks against reporters with Channel 13 have increased in recent months due to its perceived anti-Netanyahu slant, according to Israel’s Union of Journalists. In March, protestors fractured Channel 13 reporter Yossi Eli's ribs and hit Channel 13 photographer over the head. Right-wing supporters attacked two Channel 13 journalists assaulted with pepper spray in Tel Aviv in May.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is extremely worried about the increasing attacks against media workers in Israel, specifically targeting media critical of the government. We urge the ruling party to condemn the attacks and call on protestors to allow the media to do their job and report on demonstrations, no matter which newsroom they represent.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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