Israel's Ministry of Communications has extended its ban on Al Jazeera Media Network's news channel and its operation for another 45 days due to an alleged "threat to national security."
Al Jazeera, a Qatari-owned news agency established in 1996, became known for freely reporting on all of the dangerous activities done by the Israeli military in Gaza since the onset of the war in October.
However, on May 5, the Israeli government passed legislation authorizing Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist Likud party, to shut down Al Jazeera for 45 days due to an alleged attack and harm to their national security.
At that time, Karhi signed four orders, including instructing Israeli major TV providers to stop broadcasting the Qatari news channel as well as cellphone and internet providers to block access to Al Jazeera's English- and Arabic-language websites.
Meanwhile, the other two orders instructed police and Communications Ministry inspectors to raid Al Jazeera's office in Jerusalem and confiscate all workstations, cameras, microphones, servers, laptops, external hard drives, video compression equipment, wireless broadcast equipment and cellphones – except those for personal use. After the raid, the premises were locked. The operational ban expires on July 31 or when the emergency situation ends, but can be renewable.
But not long after Karhi ordered the operational ban, the government unanimously adopted another 45-day extension for Al Jazeera based on assessments from security agencies. On June 9, Kahri confirmed that Al Jazeera's broadcasts on cable and satellite and access to its websites would remain blocked.
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"We will not allow the terrorist channel Al Jazeera to broadcast from Israel and endanger our fighters," Karhi posted on X. "In light of the seriousness of the damage to the security of the state, I am convinced that the closure orders will be extended in the future as well."
Al Jazeera denies accusations of inciting violence and terrorism
In May, Al Jazeera condemned the Israeli government's decision to close its operations in Israel as a "criminal act" and warned that its suppression of the free press "stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law." (Related: Al Jazeera condemns Israeli government decision to shut down local offices.)
"Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences.
"Israel's ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza," Al Jazeera said in a statement on May 5.
In October, Karhi’s office claimed to have "proof" that Al Jazeera reporters were "passing sensitive information to the enemy" about Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troop locations. In February, the IDF disclosed that Al Jazeera correspondents Muhammed Wishah and Ismail Abu Omar served as Hamas military commanders. Abu Omar even filmed himself participating in the Oct. 7 attacks. But Al Jazeera has been denying all these accusations of inciting violence or terrorism, calling the ban disproportionate.
"The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics," Al Jazeera continued.
In line with the latest extension of the ban, the media network has indicated plans to appeal.
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Watch this video about Israel raiding the offices of Al Jazeera in the country about the network's closure order.
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