The Take The hidden battlefield: Censorship in the Israel–Iran war
Mar 10, 2026
Diana Buttu, human rights lawyer and analyst who combines legal expertise with lived perspective, speaks from Haifa about censorship and information control in the Israel–Iran conflict. She describes limits on filming, media access and foreign reporting. She traces how tactics used in Gaza shape regional messaging and highlights who is silenced and overlooked.
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Longterm Planning Behind The Escalation
- Israeli leadership view suggests long-term strategic planning drove the current escalation.
- Diana Buttu cites Netanyahu saying he had "yearned for this for 40 years," linking rhetoric to coordinated action with the U.S. and regional impact.
High Public Support Enables Censorship
- Public support for the war among Jewish Israelis is exceptionally high, enabling information control.
- Diana Buttu cites polls showing 81–93% support and says that strong backing lets authorities keep goals and damage under wraps.
Established Military Censorship Shapes Coverage
- Israeli military censorship routinely restricts images and reporting of strike sites under 'security' grounds.
- Diana Buttu notes this isn't new: Israel has a standing censorship office requiring foreign journalists to follow its rules.