Al Jazeera office in Jerusalem raided as Israel takes channel off air
- In Reports
- 10:43 PM, May 06, 2024
- Myind Staff
According to sources, Israeli officials raided a hotel room in Jerusalem that served as Al Jazeera's office, following the government's decision to close the Qatari-owned TV station's local operations on Sunday.
A video circulating online depicted plain-clothed officers dismantling camera equipment in a hotel room, which the Al Jazeera source said was in East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the cabinet agreed to the closure while the war in Gaza is ongoing, saying it threatened national security.
Al Jazeera called claims it was a threat to Israeli security a "dangerous and ridiculous lie".
The channel said it reserved the right to "pursue every legal step".
The network has voiced criticism of Israel's military operation in Gaza, where it has extensively reported from throughout the conflict.
"The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel," Netanyahu posted on social media following a unanimous cabinet vote.
According to a government statement, Israel's communications minister has signed orders to "act immediately," although at least one lawmaker who backed the closure suggested that Al Jazeera might attempt to challenge it in court.
The measure, the statement said, includes closing Al Jazeera's offices in Israel, confiscating broadcast equipment, cutting off the channel from cable and satellite companies, and blocking its websites. However, it made no mention of Al Jazeera's operations in Gaza.
Israeli satellite and cable television providers suspended Al Jazeera broadcasts following the government decision.
There was no official comment from the Qatari government, which deferred to Al Jazeera.
The network last month complained of "a series of systematic Israeli attacks to silence Al Jazeera".
The statement claimed that Israel deliberately aimed and killed a number of its journalists, notably Samer Abu Daqqa and Hamza AlDahdooh, who were both killed in Gaza during the conflict. Israel, however, has maintained that it does not target journalists.
"Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information," the network said in a statement. "Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences."
The closure of Al Jazeera in Israel has faced criticism from various human rights and press organisations. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) disclosed that they had submitted a petition to the country's Supreme Court seeking an interim order to revoke the ban.
The group said that claims that the broadcaster was a propaganda tool for Hamas were "unfounded", and that Sunday's ban was less about security concerns and more to "serve a more politically motivated agenda, aimed at silencing critical voices and targeting Arab media".
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decision, saying the shutdown of Al Jazeera in the country should be "a cause for concern for all supporters of a free press".
The UN Human Rights Office also criticised the closure.
"We regret cabinet decision to close Al Jazeera in Israel," it said on X. "A free & independent media is essential to ensuring transparency & accountability. Now, even more so given tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza. Freedom of expression is a key human right. We urge govt to overturn ban."
Last month, Israel's parliament approved a law permitting the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters deemed to pose a threat to national security. This law grants Prime Minister Netanyahu and his security cabinet the authority to shut down the network's offices in Israel for an initial duration of 45 days, which can be extended. The measure could remain in effect until the conclusion of July or until the conclusion of significant military operations in Gaza.
Qatar, where several Hamas political leaders are based, is trying to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release deal that could halt the Gaza war.
Previous negotiations mediated by Qatar led to a temporary ceasefire and the release of 105 Israeli hostages in November.
Image source: Reuters
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