Israeli Prime Minister Vows to Ban Al Jazeera
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to use a new national security law to ban news channel Al Jazeera from broadcasting in the country. The law, passed by parliament, grants top ministers the authority to prohibit broadcasts by foreign channels considered a national security threat and to shut down their offices.
Background of the Ban
Netanyahu’s government has had a longstanding feud with Qatar-based channel Al Jazeera, predating Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Prime Minister specifically targeted Al Jazeera, stating that the channel will no longer broadcast from Israel.
Response from Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera condemned the ban as part of a series of Israeli attempts to silence the network. The broadcaster highlighted the killing of one of its prominent journalists during coverage of an Israeli raid as evidence of Israel’s campaign against them.
International Response
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concerns that the law contributes to self-censorship and hostility toward the press. The White House also raised concerns about the ban, calling it troubling.
Ongoing Conflict
Tensions between Israel and Al Jazeera have escalated since the recent Israel-Hamas conflict began. Al Jazeera, known for its independent news coverage in the Arab world, has denied Israel’s accusations and criticized the targeting of its employees in Gaza.
