Washington Post Reporter Detained by Israel Police

By JTA February 16, 2016

Washington Post Jerusalem bureau chief William Booth was detained by Border Police in Jerusalem.

Booth was detained at the Damascus Gate outside of the Old City of Jerusalem on accusations of “incitement” and released an hour later after questioning at a nearby police station, the Times of Israel reported, citing a police spokesman.

Booth and a cameraman were interviewing Palestinians at the Damascus Gate when they were arrested.

A civilian complained to police after he heard one of the interviewees tell Booth she could convince some of the Palestinians in the area to demonstrate against the police if he paid them, the police spokesman told the Times of Israel.

Israel’s Government Press Office later apologized for what it called an “unfortunate misunderstanding.”

“Freedom of the press is a supreme value in the Israeli democracy. Israel is doing its utmost to enable the foreign press to work freely, without any pressure. We call upon the security forces and journalists to act with restraint and to avoid confrontations during these tense times. The GPO endeavors to prevent such incidents; we shall examine today’s events and draw the necessary conclusions,” the GPO said in a statement.

Photos of police detaining Booth were posted by Washington Post reporter in Israel Ruth Marks Eglash and by Israeli media on Twitter moments after he was detained.

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