In a significant development, the Israeli government has voted unanimously to shut down the local offices of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera. This decision marks an escalation in Israel’s long-running feud with the channel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly Twitter. However, the specifics of the decision, such as when it would go into effect or whether it was a permanent measure, were not immediately clear.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has voted unanimously to close Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.
Vote comes after the Knesset passed a law allowing the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters considered a threat to national security ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/zFDPQdowXG
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 5, 2024
The decision is expected to affect Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel and in East Jerusalem. However, it will not impact Al Jazeera’s operations in the Palestinian territories. Israeli media reported that the vote allows Israel to block the channel from operating in the country for 45 days.
Netanyahu referred to Al Jazeera as an “incitement channel,” a charge that Al Jazeera has vehemently denied. There was no immediate comment from the channel’s headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
This decision threatens to heighten tensions with Qatar, which owns Al Jazeera, at a time when the Doha government is playing a key role in mediation efforts to halt the war in Gaza. Israel has long had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias against the country.
Al Jazeera is one of the few international media outlets to remain in Gaza throughout the war, broadcasting scenes of air strikes and overcrowded hospitals, and accusing Israel of carrying out massacres in the Palestinian enclave.
This move by the Israeli government is a significant development in the media landscape of the region. It underscores the ongoing tensions and complex dynamics between Israel, Qatar, and the broader Middle East. As the situation unfolds, the world will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts Al Jazeera’s operations and the broader media landscape in the region.
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