On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet unanimously approved the closure of the Al Jazeera channel and office within the country. As per the decision, both Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Jazeera English operations in Israel may face a ban for an initial duration of 45 days, which could be extended indefinitely.
Following the cabinet meeting, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi promptly issued decrees formalizing the prohibition on this Qatari-based news organization. In a video shared on the social media platform X, Karhi stated, “Those who promote hostility against the State of Israel will no longer have the privilege to broadcast from our nation, and their equipment will be confiscated.” This action was taken subsequent to the approval of a law by the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, in April.
The law grants the cabinet the authority to shut down foreign broadcasts in Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, based on the assessment of Israeli security services, deems them to pose a threat to national security. Israel has consistently accused Al Jazeera of maintaining close ties with Hamas, an allegation that the channel denies. Additionally, Israel criticizes Al Jazeera for its pro-Palestinian stance in its coverage of Israel’s activities in the occupied Gaza Strip and West Bank.