FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a news conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 2. 28, 2023.
Abir Sultan/AP
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Abir Sultan/AP
FILE – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a news conference at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 1, 2019. 28, 2023.
Abir Sultan/AP
TEL AVIV, Israel – Israel’s cabinet voted to close the offices of the Al Jazeera network operating in the country with immediate effect.
Writing in He accused the Doha-based network of being a “channel of incitement” against Israel.
Al Jazeera, which broadcasts in both English and Arabic, has vehemently denied such accusation and said the Israeli leader had made a “shamefully false accusation.”
Despite having operated on the ground in Gaza throughout the war, Al Jazeera has long had a difficult relationship with Israel. In April, the Israeli parliament passed a law that would give the government the power to shut down foreign news networks deemed harmful to national security. Some lawmakers accuse Al Jazeera of being “a mouthpiece for Hamas.”
Israel’s decision on Sunday came at a time when Qatar, which along with Egypt, plays a key diplomatic role in hosting talks between Hamas and Israel.
Netanyahu’s announcement was immediately echoed by Shlomo Karai, Israel’s Minister of Communications. In a statement, Karai said that Al Jazeera will be shut down immediately and his equipment will be confiscated.