In one of the numerous attempted stabbing attacks at Shar Shechem in Yerushalayim that were prevented by neutralizing the terrorist in time, YWN-ISRAEL reported a correspondent of the Washington Post was detained at the scene. Needless to say this caused a political stir and elicited apologizes from a number of public officials and agencies. The following is the official Israel Police statement following the incident.

“Regarding the detaining and questioning of a Washington Post correspondent, we would like to make it clear that following an inquiry into the circumstances of the event it has been ascertained that the information which had been given to the officers was without foundation. We regret if any distress was caused to those who were detained. The police are aware of the need for sensitivity and officers are instructed to allow journalists to do their work including in centers of friction that are especially sensitive due to the security situation, with emphasis on the public peace and the security of the journalists themselves while honoring and realizing the important value of freedom of the press.”

Commenting on the incident while on a state visit in Berlin, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated, “As far as…I’ve just been passed a note because I didn’t know about this question with the journalist? I understand he was released, he was temporarily apprehended and released immediately. I was, I don’t even know the details of this. But we are, believe me we do not arrest journalists. As I can personally attest to you, the press in Israel is robust, free, very energetic and free to say anything that it wants. And you know what? It does. That’s not the case in our neighborhood, but it is the case in Israel and will continue to be the case in Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)