Netanyahu’s Government Votes To Shut Down Al Jazeera in Israel, Calling Media Outlet ‘Incitement Channel’
(Ronen Zvulun/Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli police raided the offices of Qatari-owned media outlet Al Jazeera Sunday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government voted to shut down what they called the “incitement channel.”
Al Jazeera reported, “Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly Twitter. ‘The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,’ he posted in Hebrew.”
Viral video captured the moment Israeli police swept an East Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera to report on the Israel-Hamas war.
Israeli occupying forces raid the site of Al Jazeera’s team at the Ambassador Hotel in Sheikh Jarrah, confiscating journalistic equipment. pic.twitter.com/YtTRsA6Kkd
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 5, 2024
According to Reuters, “Netanyahu’s cabinet shut down the network for as long as the war in Gaza continues, on the grounds the Qatari television network threatens national security.”
Al Jazeera posted a statement to X, saying, in part:
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic rights of access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences.
…
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.
The UN Human Rights Office also criticized Israel’s move, writing on X:
We regret cabinet decision to close Al Jazeera in Israel. A free & independent media is essential to ensuring transparency & accountability. Now, even more so given tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza. Freedom of expression is a key human right. We urge govt to overturn ban.
“The extraordinary order, which includes confiscating broadcast equipment, preventing the broadcast of the channel’s reports and blocking its websites, is believed to be the first time Israel has ever shuttered a foreign news outlet,” the Associated Press reported.
Israel’s action comes in the midst of ceasefire talks with Hamas, and as U.S. college campuses continue to erupt with pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Hamas continues to hold dozens of Israeli hostages under dire conditions.
U.S. officials have not yet commented.
