Israel Orders Closure of Al Jazeera, Network Calls it a “Criminal Act”

Israel orders closure of Al Jazeera in the country, calling it a “criminal act”

About the Situation

Inspectors and police raided the Al Jazeera offices in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 5, 2024, after the Israeli government’s decision to close down the news network in the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “The government unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel.”

Immediate Implementation

The closure of Al Jazeera in Israel will be implemented immediately, according to Ofir Gendelman, the prime minister’s spokesperson to the Arab world. As part of this decision, the network’s broadcast equipment will be confiscated, channel correspondents will be prevented from working, and the channel will be removed from cable and satellite television companies. Additionally, access to Al Jazeera’s websites will be blocked on the Internet.

Ministry of Communications’ Actions

The Israeli Ministry of Communications has already closed down Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem offices, confiscated its communication equipment, and blocked its websites. Cable providers in Israel have also discontinued carrying Al Jazeera’s networks.

Israel’s Allegations and Al Jazeera’s Response

The Israeli government accuses the network of inciting against IDF soldiers and compromising Israel’s security. Israeli spokesperson Ofir Gendelman quoted Netanyahu, stating that it was time to expel the “mouthpiece of Hamas” from the country.

On the other hand, Al Jazeera denies Israel’s “false allegations” and accuses the government of suppressing the free press and violating the human right to access information. It called on media and human rights organizations to condemn Israel’s repeated attacks on the press and journalists.

The Background and International Reactions

This move by the Israeli government comes after the passage of a sweeping law that allows the government to ban foreign networks perceived as posing a threat to national security. Rights groups express concern over the implications of this law on international media coverage of the war in Gaza. The closure of Al Jazeera in Israel has prompted condemnation from the United Nations, stating that it is a rollback of press freedom. The Foreign Press Association in Israel, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Human Rights Watch have also criticized the decision, considering it a dark day for democracy and an assault on freedom of the press.

Developing Situation

This is a developing story, and negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal are currently taking place in Cairo. Qatar has played a key role in the ongoing war negotiations, and progress has been made on the technical aspects of a potential deal.

This article is based on the closure of Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel. It has been written based on information available from various sources.