Al Jazeera Media Operations Ordered Shut By Israel; World Denounces Move

Al Jazeera stopped operations in Israel after the government ordered its shutdown last weekend. Local authorities reportedly also seized some of the news channel’s communication equipment.

According to CNN News, Israel’s move to shut down Al Jazeera in the country was condemned by the United Nations and rights groups worldwide. They denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to limit press freedom.

Tenacious Reporting on the Gaza War

Al Jazeera had produced and broadcasted dead set, on the ground reporting of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli government could be trying to stop this kind of relentless reporting; thus, it has come to this situation.

In response, Al Jazeera reportedly described the closure of its offices in the country as a “criminal act that violates human rights.” Other critics called the order a “dark day for democracy” and said this move sets a disturbing example for other international media networks operating in the region.

PM Claimed Unanimous Decision for Al Jazeera Closure

Israel’s PM posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, to tell the world he did not decide on Al Jazeera’s fate alone. “The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” PM Netanyahu wrote.

The Israeli Ministry of Communications confirmed it had padlocked Al Jazeera’s offices in Jerusalem and confiscated its communication equipment. The ministry further stated, “In addition, the network’s broadcasts on cable and satellite were stopped, and access to its websites was blocked.”

Before the closure, it was reported that Netanyahu’s government had been complaining about Al Jazeera’s operations in the country for a long time now. It also alleged that it is an anti-Israel media network and labeled it as the “mouthpiece for Hamas.”

Al Jazeera reported that the communications minister said the shutdown of Al Jazeera is effective immediately. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters in Israel are demanding that Netanyahu say yes to a truce and arrange for the safe return of captives being held in Gaza.

Photo by: Al Jazeera Website