Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed on Monday, April 1, to shut down the operations of Al Jazeera, an Arabic-language news television network, in Israel. Calling Al Jazeera a ‘terror channel’ that spreads incitement, he pleaded, after the country’s parliament passed a law clearing the way for closure.
With this, Netanyahu has intensified Israel’s long-running conflict with Al Jazeera. It has also threatened to heighten tension with Qatar, which owns the channel, at a time when Doha government is playing a crucial role in mediation efforts to halt Gaza war.
The broadcaster has termed ‘dangerous ludicrous lie’ to Netanyahu’s claims. On Monday, Al Jazeera said that PM Netanyahu is responsible for the safety of its staff and offices and the news broadcaster will further continue its bold coverage. Interestingly, Israel and Al Jazeera always had this rocky relationship. In fact, two years ago when Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in a military raid, the relations between two took a major turndown.
Moreover, the law approved on Monday would allow PM Netanyahu and the cyber cabinet to shut the network’s offices in Israel for 45 days, which then would be renewed and stay in force until the end of July or until the end of major military operations in Gaza. Communications Minister Shlomo Karai accused Al Jazeera of encouraging hostilities against Israel. “It is impossible to tolerate a media outlet, with press credentials from the government press office and with offices in Israel, acting from within against us, certainly in wartime,” Karai added.
It is expected that the United States, Israel’s principal ally, expressed alarm over the decision to permit the government to shut down foreign media organisations’ local offices, citing the need of preserving press freedom. “If it is true, a move like this is concerning,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press conference.
(with agency inputs)