Israeli lawmakers passed a controversial law on Monday that allows the government to temporarily shut down foreign media outlets deemed to undermine the country’s national security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time in announcing that he would use the new law to block Al Jazeera broadcasts and activities in Israel.
The strained relationship between Netanyahu’s government and Al Jazeera reached a boiling point after a Hamas-led attack on October 7. Netanyahu has long accused the Qatar-based network of being a “Hamas mouthpiece.” In a statement, he declared, “The terrorist channel Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel. I intend to act immediately in accordance with the new law to stop the channel’s activity.”
Al Jazeera fired back, calling Netanyahu’s comments “lies that incite against the safety of our journalists around the world.” The network vowed to continue its coverage despite the new law, which allows the government to close offices, confiscate equipment, remove the channel from Israeli cable and satellite providers, and block access to its online platforms.
Critics, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the White House, expressed concerns about the impact of the new law on press freedom. The White House press secretary emphasized the importance of a free press, calling the move “concerning.”
The timing of the law is significant as Israel is currently engaged in cease-fire negotiations with Hamas, with Qatar playing a key role in hosting the talks. The Qatari government, which funds Al Jazeera, has not yet commented on the situation.
The passing of this law marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing tensions between Israel and foreign media outlets, raising questions about the future of press freedom in the region.
