In Tel Aviv, Israel, the government has instructed the local branches of Al Jazeera, a news network based in Qatar, to shut down. This decision comes amid a ongoing dispute between the broadcaster and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, while negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas, mediated by Doha, are at a critical stage.
This unusual decision, which resembles the censorship practices in China, involves seizing broadcasting equipment, stopping the channel’s reports from being aired, and blocking its websites. This is thought to be the first instance of Israel closing down a foreign news outlet that operates within the country.
Following a directive, Al Jazeera was removed from Israel’s primary cable and satellite services. Despite this, its website and various online streaming platforms remained accessible on Sunday.
The news channel has been covering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continuously since the militants first attacked across the border on October 7th. They have been providing round-the-clock coverage from the Gaza Strip despite Israel’s intense ground offensive, which has resulted in casualties among their own staff. In addition to reporting on the casualties of the war, their Arabic division frequently shares video statements directly from Hamas and other militant groups in the region.
Al Jazeera stated that Israel’s continued efforts to limit press freedom in order to hide its actions in Gaza goes against international and humanitarian laws. They also mentioned that Israel’s actions, such as targeting and killing journalists, arresting them, intimidating them, and making threats, will not stop Al Jazeera from reporting on the situation.
Netanyahu’s office announced that a new law was passed recently giving the government the authority to take measures against Al Jazeera.
The ban did not seem to impact the channel’s activities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, even though Israel has control over these areas, they are not considered part of Israel’s territory.
The choice poses a risk of increasing tensions with Qatar while the government in Doha is actively involved in mediating efforts to stop the conflict in Gaza, along with Egypt and the United States.
The Foreign Press Association in Israel expressed disapproval of the directive.
Israel has had a strained relationship with Al Jazeera for some time, alleging that the news outlet is biased. Tensions escalated around two years ago when an Al Jazeera correspondent, Shireen Abu Akleh, was killed during an Israeli military operation in the West Bank.
Al Jazeera is among the limited number of global media organizations that have stayed in Gaza during the conflict, showing graphic footage of airstrikes and crowded hospitals while also alleging that Israel is responsible for mass killings.