Masked vandals shattered the glass entrance doors of Channel 12's Tel Aviv headquarters and left a threatening letter demanding an apology over the Sde Teiman affair. Police have opened a probe into property damage but have not made any arrests and the suspect remains unidentified. President Isaac Herzog and political leaders including Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid condemned the attack as an assault on democracy and urged immediate police action. The incident follows a string of graffiti threats and a similar attack on Channel 13 in November 2025.
‘Someone Will End Up Dead’: Vandals Smash Channel 12 Doors, Leave Threatening Letter Over Sde Teiman Affair
A masked individual shattered the glass entrance doors of Channel 12 News
A masked individual smashed the glass entrance doors of Channel 12 News' Tel Aviv headquarters overnight on Tuesday in the second such attack on the broadcaster this month. Police were called to the scene and opened an investigation on suspicion of property damage; no arrests have been made and the suspect's identity remains unknown.
Investigators recovered a handwritten letter at the scene that appeared to be left by the vandal. The note demanded that the station "apologize over the Sde Teiman affair" and contained explicit threats should the apology not be issued.
"Even an apology that isn't heartfelt is fine. Take this letter with the utmost seriousness. Otherwise, someone will end up dead. The next brick will be aimed at one of your heads."
Security-camera footage reviewed by police shows a figure with a covered face approaching the building carrying two bricks. The person hurled the bricks at the entrance doors, shattering the glass, and fled the scene before officers arrived.
Official Reaction
President Isaac Herzog spoke with Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy after the attack, condemning the use of violence to intimidate and silence voices and calling any assault on media outlets "an attack on democracy." Herzog urged swift police action and reiterated a policy of "zero tolerance for violence and attempts at intimidation."
The letter found at the scene of the attack against N12. (credit: VIA WALLA)
A joint social media statement by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid also condemned the attack, noting that "free communication is a cornerstone of democracy, especially during an election period." The post described attempts to harm media employees as a "red line," called on police to respond immediately and forcefully, and vowed that a future government would protect press freedom and not permit intimidation of journalists.
Context And Related Incidents
This is the second time this month that Channel 12's doors have been smashed. The broadcaster has also been targeted in several recent graffiti attacks. In one instance vandals sprayed a message that read: "To the criminal police and the channels of injustice and foolishness against those who study the holy Torah, I will settle the score with you. Consider yourselves warned, sons of death." Police opened an investigation into that vandalism as well, but the suspect has not been identified.
Similar threats against other media organizations have occurred: in November 2025, graffiti reading "The blood of the traitors will yet be cleared for publication" was sprayed on Channel 13's offices in Tel Aviv's Ramat Hahayal neighborhood, prompting another police inquiry.
Authorities continue to investigate the most recent attack. Channel 12 officials have not announced whether they will change security measures or issue a public response to the vandal's demand.
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