Israel to shut down Al Jazeera, alleges threat to national security

On the grounds that the Qatari television network endangers national security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet voted on Sunday to shut down Al Jazeera’s activities in Israel for the duration of the Gaza War.

After the unanimous cabinet vote, Netanyahu declared on social media that “the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel.”

Israel’s minister of communications signed orders to “act immediately,” according to a government statement, but at least one member who backed the closure warned Al Jazeera might still attempt to stop it in court.

According to the statement, the action will involve shutting down Al Jazeera’s headquarters in Israel, seizing broadcasting equipment, disconnecting the channel from satellite and cable providers, and disabling its websites.

The network, which receives funding from the Qatari government, has covered the battle nonstop from Gaza and has been extremely critical of Israel’s military campaign there. The actions of Al Jazeera in Gaza were not mentioned in the Israeli statement.

A bill permitting the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters in Israel that are deemed to pose a threat to national security was adopted by the Israeli parliament last month.

Al Jazeera did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday, but in the past it has denied claims that it poses a security risk to Israel and said that the blackout is an attempt to silence it.

The legislation permits Netanyahu and his security cabinet to close the network’s Israeli headquarters for 45 days. This ban may be extended, meaning that it may remain in effect until the end of July or until the conclusion of significant military activities in Gaza.

A truce and hostage release agreement that could put an end to the Gaza war are being mediated by Qatar, which is home to Hamas leaders.