Jerusalem, Israel – The Israeli cabinet made a unanimous decision to close down Al Jazeera in the country, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing the decision. Shortly after the announcement, Israeli authorities conducted a raid on the Al Jazeera office in East Jerusalem, seizing the channel’s equipment.
The move comes after Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a law allowing the temporary closure of foreign media outlets deemed a security threat, including Al Jazeera. The ban extends to the Al Jazeera website and television channel in Israel, with cable providers displaying a message that the network is prohibited from the air.
Political analyst Akiva Eldar viewed the shutdown as a populist move to address public discontent with the government’s actions in Gaza and the international arena, catering to the far-right partners of Netanyahu’s government. The ban on Al Jazeera is set for 45 days, with the possibility of renewal as stipulated in the law passed on April 1.
Al Jazeera responded to the shutdown by condemning it as a criminal act, emphasizing its commitment to continue providing news to a global audience. The ban on Al Jazeera’s reporting from Israel includes both West Jerusalem and East Jerusalem offices, with all equipment, including cameras, microphones, and servers, confiscated.
The international community has expressed strong opposition to the closure of Al Jazeera in Israel, with concerns raised about the impact on press freedom and democratic values. Tim Dawson from the International Federation of Journalists criticized the Israeli government’s actions as a threat to free reporting on the conflict. The United States administration, through National Security Advisor John Kirby, reiterated its support for independent journalism and opposition to the shutdown.
As Al Jazeera assesses its next steps and seeks legal protection for its rights and journalists, observers anticipate potential challenges to the law used to shut down the network. The move to close Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel is seen as part of a broader trend of media suppression, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the region.