Israel’s top security forces are red-faced after a team of television journalists sneaked a printed 3-D plastic gun past Knesset guards, ostensibly to show that it could be done — and they did it twice.
The Channel 10 team said it wanted to show that Knesset security could be easily breached, Ynet New reported. The crew carried the printed parts past the compound’s security and assembled them into a plastic gun. The gun was then test-fired at a range, under the supervision of retired police Maj. Gen. Dan Ronen, to show that it actually worked, Ynet said.
The first time, crew sneaked the plastic gun into the office of the Knesset Interior Committee chairwoman, Miri Regey. The second time, a reporter carried the weapon into an event attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and was even able to stand within a few feet of the leader, Ynet said.
Reporters say they were easily able to pass through security lines and metal detectors.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement reported by Ynet that it’s aware of the security breach but already had protections in place. Moreover, spokesmen called the journalists “irresponsible” and blasted their actions.
“The way of action shown in the report is known to security personnel,” the statement read. “Apart from the security checks, several other security arrangements, both visible and hidden, exist. The act was irresponsible and could have endangered the perpetrators of the questionable ’journalistic mission’ and cause them severe damage.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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