Israeli Security Cabinet to Approve Closure of Al Jazeera News Outlet from Qatar

The Israeli Security Cabinet is poised to make a significant decision on Thursday as they prepare to vote on the closure of Al Jazeera’s office in the country. This move comes after the Knesset passed a law last month granting the government temporary authority to shut down foreign broadcasts if they are deemed a national security threat.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi spearheaded the passage of the “Preventing Foreign Broadcasters From Harming National Security” law, citing concerns raised by the Israel Defense Forces about Al Jazeera’s broadcasts potentially endangering military forces by revealing their locations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time in expressing his intention to act on the law, accusing Al Jazeera of aiding Hamas terrorists in a deadly attack last October. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel quickly challenged the law’s constitutionality on free speech grounds, leading to a delay in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

If the government moves forward with shutting down Al Jazeera, all security agencies must provide evidence of the news agency posing a real threat to national security. The decision would then be subject to judicial review within a tight timeframe.

Al Jazeera, known for its coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has faced criticism from Israeli officials for allegedly favoring Hamas in its reporting. Despite previous emergency measures to shut down the news outlet, the government refrained from taking action due to Qatar’s funding of projects in Gaza.

As tensions escalate, the fate of Al Jazeera’s presence in Israel hangs in the balance, with the government’s decision set to expire on July 31. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.