Politics1 min read

Al Jazeera condemns Israeli ban extension, calls for its immediate lifting

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The ongoing restrictions follow legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in May 2024 that allows temporary closures of foreign news organizations deemed security risks. Beyond maintaining the blackout within Israel, military forces previously raided and shuttered the outlet's Ramallah bureau in the occupied West Bank in September 2024. Network leadership is actively consulting legal counsel to challenge the proceedings while pledging to continue international coverage. The broadcaster contextualized the measures as part of a historical pattern of hostility that includes the destruction of its Gaza facilities and the deaths of multiple staff members.

Key points

  • Al Jazeera plans to pursue legal measures against the prolonged shutdown of its regional…: Al Jazeera plans to pursue legal measures against the prolonged shutdown of its regional operations.
  • The broadcaster continues to report globally despite facing office closures and military…: The broadcaster continues to report globally despite facing office closures and military raids across the region.
  • Network officials view the ongoing legal restrictions as part of a wider history of hosti…: Network officials view the ongoing legal restrictions as part of a wider history of hostile actions against its staff.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Qatar-based media network calls move ‘assault’ on press freedom, warns of ‘dangerous pattern’ that undermines ability of news organisations to report.

Al Jazeera Media Network has strongly condemned the Israeli authorities’ decision to extend a ban on its operations in Israel for another 90 days, including the suspension of its broadcasts, the closure of its offices and the restriction of access to its websites and digital platforms.

In a statement on Monday, the Qatar-based network said it considered the move “an assault” on press freedom and the public’s right to information, warning it set “a dangerous pattern that undermines the ability of news organisations to report the facts and hold those in power to account”.

It came after a court in Tel Aviv approved last week the Israeli government’s decision to extend the ban for a further 90 days.

In May 2024, at the height of Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet had voted to shut Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel. The decision, which was strongly criticised by press freedom groups, followed…

Politics