FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press convention in the Kirya army base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023.
Abir Sultan/AP
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Abir Sultan/AP
FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press convention in the Kirya army base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023.
Abir Sultan/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on Sunday that his authorities has voted unanimously to shut down the native offices of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera.
Netanyahu introduced the choice on X, previously Twitter, however particulars on the implications of the step on the channel, when it will go into impact or whether or not the measure was everlasting or non permanent weren’t instantly clear.
There was no fast remark from the channel headquarters in Doha, Qatar. An Al Jazeera correspondent on its Arabic service mentioned the order would have an effect on the broadcaster’s operations in Israel and in east Jerusalem, the place it has been doing stay photographs for months for the reason that Oct. 7 assault that sparked the battle in Gaza.
It wouldn’t have an effect on Al Jazeera’s operations in the Palestinian territories, the correspondent mentioned.
Israeli media mentioned the vote permits Israel to block the channel from working in the nation for 45 days, in accordance to the choice.
“My government decided unanimously: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will close in Israel,” Netanyahu posted on X. Al Jazeera as vehemently denied that it incites towards Israel.
The choice escalated Israel’s long-running feud towards Al Jazeera. It additionally threatened to heighten tensions with Qatar, which owns the channel, at a time when the Doha authorities is taking part in a key function in mediation efforts to halt the battle in Gaza.
Israel has lengthy had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias towards it.
Al Jazeera is without doubt one of the few worldwide media shops to stay in Gaza all through the battle, broadcasting bloody scenes of airstrikes and overcrowded hospitals and accusing Israel of massacres. Israel accuses Al Jazeera of collaborating with Hamas.
Al Jazeera, the Doha-based broadcaster funded by Qatar’s authorities, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
While Al Jazeera’s English operation usually resembles the programming discovered on different main broadcast networks, its Arabic arm usually publishes verbatim video statements from Hamas and different militant teams in the area. It equally got here beneath harsh U.S. criticism throughout America’s occupation of Iraq after its 2003 invasion toppled director Saddam Hussein.
It stays unclear how such an order could be enforced by Israel.