Netanyahu’s government votes to close Al Jazeera offices in Israel : NPR

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s cupboard has voted to close down the places of work of the Al Jazeera community working within the nation with rapid impact.

Writing on X, previously referred to as Twitter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned his authorities had determined “unanimously” to shut Al Jazeera in Israel. He accused the Doha-headquartered community of being an “incitement channel” in opposition to Israel.

Netanyahu’s announcement was instantly echoed by Shlomo Karai, Israel’s minister of communications. In an announcement, Karai mentioned that Al Jazeera shall be closed instantly, and its tools shall be confiscated.

On Sunday afternoon, Israeli police raided the Qatari broadcaster’s workplace in Jerusalem. In accordance with a video posted on Karai’s X account, a number of Israeli inspectors entered the community’s workplace and took images.

Al Jazeera, which broadcasts in each English and Arabic, condemned Israel’s transfer, calling it a “legal act that violates human rights and the fundamental proper to entry of data.” The community mentioned it would pursue “all out there authorized channels.”

Israel’s determination raised issues amongst human rights and press teams. In an announcement, the Overseas Press Affiliation in Israel mentioned that with this determination, Israel joins a “doubtful membership of authoritarian governments to ban the station.” “This can be a darkish day for the media. This can be a darkish day for democracy,” the assertion added.

The United Nations Human Rights Workplace urged the Israeli authorities to overturn the ban. Writing on X, it mentioned “a free & impartial media is crucial to making sure transparency & accountability. Now, much more so given tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza.”

Regardless of having operated on the bottom in Gaza all through the warfare, Al Jazeera has lengthy had a tense relationship with Israel. In April, the Israeli parliament handed a legislation that might give the federal government the facility to close down international information networks which can be considered as harming nationwide safety. Some lawmakers accuse Al Jazeera of being “a mouthpiece of Hamas.”

Israel’s determination on Sunday comes as Qatar, which together with Egypt, performs a key diplomatic position in hostage talks between Hamas and Israel. In November, negotiations mediated by Qatar had led to a short lived cease-fire and various hostages being launched.