Israel approves emergency regulations as communications minister seeks shutdown of Al Jazeera bureau

Israel has approved new emergency regulations that could pave the way for censoring Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster that is allegedly biased and propagated content detrimental to its national security.

Israel’s communications minister put the proposal last week, seeking a possible closure of Al Jazeera’s local bureau, and accused the Qatari news station of pro-Hamas incitement and of exposing Israeli soldiers to potential attack from Gaza.

Under the newly introduced regulations, the communications minister, in collaboration with the defines minister will possess the authority to instruct television providers to cease airing content from the specified news outlet. This may include the closure of its offices within Israel, the confiscation of its equipment, and the suspension or limitation of access to its website, depending on the location of its server.

Approval for such a decision is contingent upon the endorsement of the security cabinet and relies on legal opinions from the security establishment, affirming that the outlet indeed poses a threat to national security. Furthermore, the decision is subject to review by a district court.

These regulations will remain effective for a period of 30 days but may be extended for additional 30-day intervals. The emergency regulations are set to remain in force for three months or until the official termination of the specific state of emergency by the government.

The proposal to shut down Al Jazeera had been vetted by Israeli security officials and was being vetted by legal experts, Shloma Karhi told Reuters, adding that he would bring it to the cabinet later in the day.

“This is a station that incites, this is a station that films troops in assembly areas (outside Gaza) … that incites against the citizens of Israel - a propaganda mouthpiece,” Karhi told Israel’s Army Radio.

“It is unconscionable that Hamas spokespeople’s message goes through this station,” he said, adding: “I hope we will finish with this today.” It was not clear if the latter statement referred to a cabinet discussion or implementation of a closure.