Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz bans army officers from briefing journalists without his approval

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz banned army officers from briefing journalists without his direct permission, according to Israeli media reports. 

Katz reportedly instructed army spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin to stop all interviews and briefings by senior commanders to journalists. 

Katz also instructed Defrin to seek his approval for every media briefing or update in a reversal of long-standing practice. 

Under the new directive, Katz must be informed who the journalist requesting the meeting is, which officer will conduct the briefing, and what topics will be discussed. 

The only exception to Katz's new directive is the Israeli Army spokesperson, who is authorised to speak with reporters and the public without prior ministerial approval. 

Earlier, military sources told Haaretz that Katz reprimanded Defrin for failing to inform him on conversations held between senior officers and journalists.