The Israeli military has suspended an entire reserve battalion following a clash with journalists from the US broadcaster CNN in the occupied West Bank, in a move described by the army's top commander as a "serious ethical and professional failure." The unit will undergo a process to "reinforce its professional and ethical foundations" and will remain in reserve service during a review, according to a military statement on Monday.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a CNN crew was reporting on an attack by Israeli settlers and the creation of an illegal outpost in the Palestinian village of Tayasir. CNN journalist Jeremy Diamond and his team then encountered Israeli soldiers. Video released by CNN showed a soldier pointing his rifle at the crew. CNN reported that one soldier placed photojournalist Cyril Theophilos in a chokehold, brought him to the ground, and damaged his camera, with the crew later detained.
The Foreign Press Association, which represents hundreds of journalists across Israel and the Palestinian territories, condemned the incident. In a statement, the association said, "This was not a misunderstanding. It was a violent assault on clearly identified journalists and a direct attack on press freedom. Pointing rifles at journalists and civilians, physically assaulting a cameraman, and detaining a crew are actions that cross every line."
Spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Nadav Shoshani stated that the soldiers' conduct "does not represent the IDF" and would be investigated. He posted on X, "I apologized privately, and I will say it again — this shouldn't have happened." The military has opened a formal inquiry. The suspension of an entire battalion, an unusual step, is intended to send a deterrent message, according to Israeli media reports.
Soldiers in the unit expressed shock at what they described as collective punishment, as reported by the German news agency DPA. The army said the battalion would return to operational duty once the review is complete. The suspension comes as the Israeli military faces international scrutiny over its treatment of journalists. Last year, Reporters Without Borders attributed nearly half of all journalist deaths in 2025 to Israeli forces.
Source: www.dw.com