Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet has unanimously voted to close the local offices of Al Jazeera, the Qatari-funded broadcaster, in Israel.
The decision, announced by Netanyahu on Sunday, is an escalation in Israel’s long-standing feud with the news outlet. Al Jazeera has denied accusations of inciting against Israel, but the government has deemed it a threat to national security.
The move is unprecedented, as Israel has never before shut down a foreign news outlet. The vote comes at a sensitive time, as Qatar is currently mediating cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt and the United States. The decision risks heightening tensions with Qatar and potentially undermining the fragile negotiations.
Israel orders Al Jazeera to close (Credits: Apa.az)
It is unclear what the immediate effects of the vote will be, but Al Jazeera correspondents have suggested that the decision will not affect their operations in the Palestinian territories. However, the order reportedly bars the channel from “holding offices or operating them” in Israel and will block access to their websites.
Al Jazeera’s Arabic broadcasts have been criticized for publishing verbatim video statements from militant groups like Hamas, while its English broadcasts are similar to other major news networks.
Israel orders Al Jazeera to close local operation (Credits: JNS)
The Israeli government’s move has sparked concerns about press freedom and the ability of international news outlets to operate in the region.
The closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel is a development in the ongoing conflict, and its implications are yet to be fully understood. As tensions remain high, the international community will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts the already fragile situation in the region.
