Israeli authorities shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Jerusalem, accusing the network of posing a national security threat.
In a cabinet meeting, it unanimously voted to close the network for the duration of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Plainclothes officers were documented dismantling camera equipment in a Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera, which has been critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Al Jazeera an “incitement channel” and announced the closure via social media. The measures include closing Al Jazeera’s offices, seizing broadcast equipment, and blocking the channel’s broadcasts and websites in Israel. This decision does not affect its operations in Gaza.
Al Jazeera has denounced these actions as criminal, vowing to take all legal steps necessary to continue its operations and maintain its journalistic presence in the region. The network also claims that its journalists have been targeted and killed by Israeli forces, a charge Israel denies.
