Netanyahu Cabinet Shuts Down Al Jazeera Operations In Israel Amid Gaza War, Network Terms It 'Criminal' Move
Israel government action will involve shutting down Al Jazeera's offices, seizing broadcasting equipment, disconnecting the channel from satellite and cable providers, and blocking its websites.
On the grounds of the threat to national security from the Qatari television network, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet decided on Sunday to shut down Al Jazeera's operations in Israel for the duration of the War in Gaza. Netanyahu wrote on his social media X following the unanimous cabinet vote, "The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel."
הממשלה בראשותי החליטה פה אחד: ערוץ ההסתה אל ג׳זירה ייסגר בישראל.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 5, 2024
תודה לשר @shlomo_karhi
According to a government statement, Israel's minister of communications signed orders to "act immediately," but at least one lawmaker who backed the closure said Al Jazeera could still attempt to stop it in court, Reuters reported.
As per the statement, the action will involve shutting down Al Jazeera's offices in Israel, seizing broadcasting equipment, disconnecting the channel from satellite and cable providers, and blocking its websites.
The Qatari government funds the network and has been fiercely critical of Israel's military operation in Gaza, from where it has reported around the clock throughout the war. The statement of Israel did not mention the Gaza operations of Al Jazeera.
A law permitting the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters in Israel that are deemed to pose a threat to national security was ratified by the Israeli parliament last month.
The legislation permits Netanyahu and his security cabinet to close the network's Israeli offices for 45 days. This ban may be extended, meaning that it may remain in effect until the end of July or until the conclusion of significant military activities in Gaza.
A ceasefire and hostage release agreement that could put an end to the Gaza war are being mediated by Qatar, which is home to Hamas leaders.
ALSO READ: Netanyahu Says 'Israel Can't Accept' Hamas Demands Of Troop Withdrawal From Gaza, Ending War
Al Jazeera Condemns Israeli Government For 'Criminal' Move
Qatar-based network Al Jazeera strongly criticised the Israeli government's on Sunday for its decision to ban the broadcaster from operating due to its coverage of the Gaza war, labeling the move as "criminal."
"We condemn and denounce this criminal act by Israel that violates the human right to access information," Al Jazeera wrote on X, (formerly Twitter).
Israel shuts down Al Jazeera offices. pic.twitter.com/8gLPtzOu4P
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 5, 2024
As per an AFP report, in the most recent phase of an ongoing dispute that started long before Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Al Jazeera has been the target of months of criticism from Netanyahu and his administration.
In a separate joint statement with the Israeli premier, Israel's Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi stated that he had given the order to close the channel, seize equipment, and limit broadcasting to Al Jazeera's websites.
Ever since the Gaza War broke out on October 7, Al Jazeera has broadcast live reports from the ground detailing the consequences of Israel's offensive. Two of the network's correspondents were killed when the network's office in Gaza was bombed during the conflict.
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