Israel-Palestine war: Authorities finalising closure of Al Jazeera, Israeli media have accused the network of 'helping' Hamas with its coverage of the ongoing bombardment of Gaza
Al Jazeera's headquarters in Doha (File image)
By MEE staff
Published date: 20 October 2023
Israel is finalising the closure of Al Jazeera over its coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which it says is helping Hamas.
The Qatar-based network is the biggest Arabic language news outlet providing televised and online updates on the situation in Gaza, within Israel and in other occupied Palestinian territories.
On Friday, a number of Israeli media outlets, including i24 News and Times of Israel, said that the Israeli government had approved "emergency regulations" that would shutter broadcasters that are deemed to be acting against the "security of the state".
The Times of Israel quoted Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi who said Israel was at war on "land, in the air, at sea, and on the public diplomacy front".
Before the ban on the network is enacted, it will need approval from Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who is expected to sign the regulation.
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Although floated as temporary, the ban can be renewed at 30-day intervals.
The move against Al Jazeera comes amid a wider crackdown on opposing views within Israel.
Wider crackdown on dissent
Karhi has also proposed targeting any journalist, including Israelis, who are deemed to be "harming national morale".
Journalists and other citizens could have their homes searched, property seized and could be placed under arrest for speech the government deems undesirable.
A vigilante mob of far-right Israelis attacked journalist Israel Frey after he expressed solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment in Gaza, forcing him and his family into hiding.
On the international front, Israeli public diplomacy accounts have condemned media outlets for getting their news from "terrorist organisations".
Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage for the latest on the Israel-Palestine war
Al Jazeera has a vast operation within Gaza, which will likely continue to broadcast out of the besieged territory.
Karhi has also proposed targeting any journalist, including Israelis, who are deemed to be "harming national morale".
Journalists and other citizens could have their homes searched, property seized and could be placed under arrest for speech the government deems undesirable.
A vigilante mob of far-right Israelis attacked journalist Israel Frey after he expressed solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment in Gaza, forcing him and his family into hiding.
On the international front, Israeli public diplomacy accounts have condemned media outlets for getting their news from "terrorist organisations".
Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage for the latest on the Israel-Palestine war
Al Jazeera has a vast operation within Gaza, which will likely continue to broadcast out of the besieged territory.
Shireen Abu Akleh: Al Jazeera takes Israel to ICC over killing of journalistRead More »
The network has a frosty relationship with Israel despite being one of the first in the region to interview Israeli figures on-air.
In 2022, Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli soldier while reporting in Jenin.
The network most recently condemned Israel for a missile attack on a group of journalists in Lebanon, which included its own reporters.
"Israel has once again attempted to silence the media by targeting journalists, as Israeli forces fired a guided missile at Al Jazeera crew in southern Lebanon, wounding two and killing a Reuters journalist," the network said in a statement.
Middle East Eye contacted Al Jazeera for comment regarding the planned closure of its operation in Israel but the network had not responded by the time of publication.
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