Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that his government has unanimously voted to shut down the local offices of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera. This decision comes at a crucial time as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, mediated by Qatar, are gaining momentum.
Netanyahu took to social media to make the announcement, stating, “My government decided unanimously: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will close in Israel.” Al Jazeera has denied allegations of incitement against Israel.
The implications of this decision on the channel, the timeline for its implementation, and whether it is a permanent or temporary measure remain unclear. However, Al Jazeera correspondents have provided some insight into how the closure would impact the broadcaster’s operations.
According to Al Jazeera correspondents, the order will affect the broadcaster’s operations in Israel and East Jerusalem, where live shots have been broadcasted for months. However, operations in the Palestinian territories will not be affected.
The decision to shut down Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel has the potential to escalate tensions with Qatar, which has been playing a key role in mediation efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu has previously criticized Qatar for not exerting enough pressure on Hamas to agree to a truce deal.
Al Jazeera, known for its coverage of conflicts in the Middle East, has faced backlash from various governments in the region. The broadcaster has been accused of bias and collaborating with militant groups. The closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel adds to the list of countries that have taken action against the network.
As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely monitoring the developments and the impact of this decision on media freedom and the ongoing conflict in the region.