Israeli cabinet approves measures to close Al Jazeera
The Israeli cabinet approved emergency regulations on Friday to shut down the Al Jazeera news network’s operations in the country.
Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
The measures will enable press credentials for staff of the Qatari-based network to be revoked and its transmitters confiscated.
“Israel is at war. On land, in the air, at sea and in the mind. We will in no way allow broadcasts that harm the security of the state,” said Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi, who initiated the move.
“Al Jazeera’s broadcasts and reports constitute incitement against Israel, serving Hamas-Daesh [ISIS] and the terrorist organizations in propaganda and encouraging violence against Israel, thereby actually harming the security of the state,” Karhi added.
Al Jazeera is accused of endangering Israeli soldiers by exposing details of where forces are assembling.
The move received across-the-board support from the security and diplomatic establishment, including Defenc
e Minister Yoav Gallant, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council, the Mossad and Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Three years ago, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that Al Jazeera Plus (AJ+), a subsidiary of the Al Jazeera Media Network, is engaged in “political activities” related to the government of Qatar and directed the outlet to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
