Story perspectives

Journalist Faces Death Threats Over Iran Missile Report

3/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Emanuel Fabian, The Times of Israel military correspondent, received death threats from Polymarket users after reporting on an Iranian missile strike near Beit Shemesh on March 10, 2026.
Fabian reported the missile hit an uninhabited area and caused no injuries.
Bettors who wagered over $14 million on Iran’s strike pressured him to say the missile was intercepted.
The threats escalated, and Polymarket condemned harassment and banned the involved accounts.

History

Historical Context

In 2021, Polymarket, a prediction market platform founded in 2020, faced scrutiny for enabling users to bet on real-world events, including geopolitical issues. This raised ethical concerns, particularly after threats against journalist Emanuel Fabian emerged, highlighting the risks journalists face. The incident prompted calls for stricter regulations on online betting platforms to safeguard journalistic integrity and public discourse amid ongoing debates about the ethical implications of such markets.

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Story summary

Emanuel Fabian, The Times of Israel military correspondent, received death threats from Polymarket users after reporting on an Iranian missile strike near Beit Shemesh on March 10, 2026.
Fabian reported the missile hit an uninhabited area and caused no injuries.
Bettors who wagered over $14 million on Iran’s strike pressured him to say the missile was intercepted.
The threats escalated, and Polymarket condemned harassment and banned the involved accounts.

1 / 2