Anadolu Agency Director General and Board Chairman Kemal Ozturk wrote the letter to Netanyahu to express his regret that two AA journalists were subjected to discrimination at an annual press reception in Jerusalem last Friday. Ozturk said in the letter "Our invited reporters were faced with an unfair and unreasonable discrimination by lsraeli security forces."
Fazlioglu was told he would be frisked since those carrying Turkish passports face extra security searches due to Turkey being among the "high threat" countries for Israel. After waiting for half an hour after the search, the Israeli press office officials apologized to the journalists. However, the journalists left the event.
Although appreciating the lsraeli Prime Ministry Press Office Manager and his team's attempt to prevent this unfortunate treatment, Ozturk strongly condemned "the discriminatory and hostile act of lsraeli security forces in an event that is organized by the Israeli Prime Ministry in the honor of international journalists."
Ozturk said "I see this act not only as a violation of Anadolu Agency's principles but as a general attack on freedom of press in Israel," adding that he will take steps in the name of international institutions.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
