Israeli Cabinet Gives Approval for Ban on Al Jazeera’s Local Operations

The Israeli cabinet has made a bold move by unanimously approving the shutdown of the Al Jazeera channel and office in the country. This decision, reported by Xinhua, comes as a response to concerns about the news organization’s alleged ties to Hamas and its perceived pro-Palestinian stance in covering Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi wasted no time in formalizing the ban, signing decrees immediately after the cabinet meeting. In a video posted on social media, Karhi stated, “Anyone who incites against the State of Israel will no longer broadcast from Israel here, and his equipment will be confiscated.”

This decision follows the approval of a law in April granting the cabinet the authority to shut down foreign broadcasts in Israel if deemed a national security threat by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, based on the opinion of Israeli security services.

Al Jazeera, a Qatari-based news organization, has long been a target of criticism from Israel for its coverage of the conflict in the region. The channel denies any ties to Hamas and maintains that it provides fair and balanced reporting.

With the possibility of an indefinite ban looming, the future of Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel remains uncertain. This move has sparked debate about press freedom and government control over media outlets in the country. Stay tuned for further developments on this controversial decision.