Israeli government says it will block Al Jazeera broadcast

(Patria) - The Israeli parliament has approved a law that gives the government the authority to ban the broadcast of TV channels, including Al Jazeera, a Qatar-owned network, the BBC reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would "act immediately" to close the network's local office. "Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel," he wrote on the X network, calling the television station a "terrorist channel".

Israel has previously banned the smaller Lebanese channel Al Mayadeen from operating in the country. As foreign journalists have been banned from entering Gaza, Al Jazeera staff based in the Gaza Strip have been among the few reporters able to report on the war from the ground.
The Israeli parliament approved a law that allows foreign networks deemed to pose a threat to national security to be "temporarily" banned.

The ban would last for 45 days and could be renewed. The law would remain in effect until July or until the end of major fighting in Gaza.

For years, Israeli officials have accused the network of anti-Israeli bias. However,
their criticism of the broadcaster intensified after the Hamas attack on October 7. Authorities claim it has close ties to Hamas, which Al Jazeera strongly denies.

Al Jazeera stated that "Netanyahu could not find any justification to offer the world for his constant attacks on Al Jazeera and media freedom other than to make new lies and inflammatory slander against the Network and the rights of its employees" and that "it holds the Israeli Prime Minister responsible for the safety of its staff and the Network's premises around the world, after his incitement and this false accusation in a shameful manner."

The channel has accused Israel of deliberately targeting its staff. Journalists, including Hamza Al-Dahdouh, son of Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief Wael Al-Dahdouh, have been killed in Israeli attacks. Israel denies targeting journalists.

Qatar, where Al Jazeera is headquartered, is mediating talks between Israel and Hamas. Previous Qatar-mediated negotiations led to a temporary ceasefire and the release of 105 Israeli hostages. It is unclear whether Israel's move will affect ceasefire negotiations.

"If this is true, such a move is concerning," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre when asked about the proposed ban.

Al Jazeera was launched in 1996 and shook up the media landscape in the Middle East by broadcasting criticism of governments and rulers in the region. However, some governments in the region have questioned the network's coverage.

It has been closed or blocked in countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt.

Al Jazeera says it was the first Arabic channel to feature Israeli politicians and
commentators.