Lebanese reporter who interviewed Israeli army spox released

Authorities in Lebanon have released Lebanese journalist Layal Alekhtiar after detaining her for questioning over violating the anti-normalisation law by interviewing Israeli military personnel.

In November 2023, Alekhtiar interviewed Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, on the Saudi-owned pan-Arab TV channel Al-Arabiya.

After the interview, Alekhtiar – who is based in Dubai where Al-Arabiya’s headquarters are – was accused of violating Lebanon’s anti-normalisation laws by communicating with “enemy officials”, and saw an arrest warrant issued against her, due to Israel and Lebanon being in a state of war.

She returned to Lebanon last week to interview the country’s new president, Joseph Aoun, but, upon arrival at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on 22 January, security forces detained her and took her in for questioning.

She was later released on bail after paying 50 million Lebanese pounds (around $500), according to the Lebanese daily Nidaa Al-Watan, pending further investigation.

Controversy sparked by ‘Mr. Avichay’ address

Alekhtiar faced backlash among many Lebanese when she interviewed Avichay shortly after the start of Israel’s onslaught on Gaza on 7 October 2023 and cross-border attacks on Lebanon.

She faced accusations of “treason” after she addressed him as “Mr Avichay”, using a “respectful title” that was perceived by many as a form of normalisation or legitimisation of the Israeli official and in contradiction of Lebanon’s official stance on Israel.

Adraee, notorious for being the mouthpiece of Israel’s policies of forced displacement and military aggression, has repeatedly issued threats to bomb Lebanon and warned displaced Palestinians and Lebanese against returning to their homes, using psychological warfare to instil fear and justify Israel’s onslaught.

Following the backlash, Alekhtiar took to X to say that the uproar was like “political persecution, akin to judicial oppression, with no relation to truth, justice, or fairness”.

“I am no afraid… No matter what you do, you will not touch my freedom, dignity, or convictions,” she said at the time. 

“A Professional journalist respects their guest, no matter who they are – even if they are from the opposition.”

Al-Arabiya also released a statement in November 2023 in her support, stating that the pressure she had faced had constituted “an attack on journalism and its values” as well as an attack on “professional media practices”.

Following her release on bail last week, Alekhtiar visited the Lebanese president – a move seen by many as a sign of support from Aoun.

Alekhtiar took to social media to share a photograph with Aoun, expressing her gratitude with the caption: “Your Excellency, the homeland… Thank you.”

Alekhtiar, who hosted several talk shows and political programmes, ranked in 2021 second on the list of the most influential media figures in the Arab world.