Egyptians interrogate Israeli journalist

Feldman "may be tried" after attempting to infiltrate border with migrants.

By BEN HARTMAN
sudanese at fence 311 (photo credit: Channel 10)
sudanese at fence 311
(photo credit: Channel 10)
An Israeli journalist arrested Monday while attempting to sneak into Israel with a Ghanaian migrant could face charges in a military tribunal, AFP reported Tuesday.According to the report, Yotam Feldman, 30, was already questioned by the military prosecutor’s office in Egypt.
Feldman, a reporter for Ha’aretz, took a 10-day vacation in order to produce a video for Channel 10 about African migrants trying to sneak into Israel from Sinai.
The IDF Spokesman’s Office said Tuesday that it was closely monitoring Feldman’s situation and working to secure his release, but had nothing new to report in the meantime.
A doctor in the Egyptian city of Rafah said Monday that Feldman had lightly hurt his hand while trying to cross a barbed wire fence and had been treated before being transferred back to security officials.
Feldman was carrying no identification paper or money, an Egyptian security official said.
Channel 10 said on Monday that Feldman had gone to Egypt to investigate the phenomenon of migrants crossing the Israeli border and the smugglers who take them, for the investigative news program Hamakor.
The station added that it was in touch with Israeli and Egyptian army and diplomatic officials in order to bring Feldman home safely and as quickly as possible.
A Ha’aretz statement Mondaysaid that Feldman had requested an unpaid 10-day vacation from thepaper in order to pursue outside projects. The report said that thepaper had only known he was working on a report for a separate mediaoutlet, but expressed hope for his safe return.
Hours afterFeldman was arrested Monday, IDF troops shot and killed an Egyptiancitizen believed to have been trying to smuggle cigarettes into Israel.The man was part of a group of suspects who refused to halt when IDFtroops ordered them to stop near the border.