Israel passes law allowing closure of Al Jazeera TV channel

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the Israeli law would create a climate of self-censorship and hostility toward the press, a trend that has escalated since the Hamas-Israel conflict erupted in Gaza.

Al Jazeera TV channel headquarters in Israel. Photo: The Guardian

The Israeli parliament on April 1 passed a law giving the prime minister and communications minister the power to block foreign news agencies from operating in Israel if security agencies believe they pose a threat to national security.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who spearheaded the push to pass the law, said Qatar's Al Jazeera television channel would be shut down in the coming days, adding that there would be no freedom of speech for Hamas' media outlet in Israel.

On page X, the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote: “Al Jazeera has damaged Israel's security, actively participated in the October 7 massacre and incited against Israeli soldiers.”

Screenshot 2024-04-02 at 06.45.40.png — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take “immediate action” to shut down Al Jazeera in Israel after the law was passed. Photo: The Strait Times

According to The Times of Israel, the law empowers the Communications Minister to order “content providers” to stop broadcasting the channel in question; shut down foreign news outlets operating in Israel and confiscate their equipment if security agencies deem them to be harmful to national security; require the channel’s website to be taken offline if the actual server is located in Israel or block access to the website…

Under the terms of the law, any order to shut down a foreign news outlet must be issued within 24 hours for judicial review by a district court judge. Such orders are effective for 45 days but can be renewed for another 45 days.

In a swift response, Al Jazeera said the Israeli Prime Minister was responsible for the safety of its staff and facilities around the world , following this "disgraceful" act of incitement and false accusations.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States believes in freedom of the press and is supporting the important work that journalists around the world are doing, including those covering the conflict in Gaza.