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"In a significant move on Sunday, Israel's government took steps to close down the operations of the Al Jazeera Media Network in Israel, targeting one of the few international broadcasters offering extensive coverage of the Gaza conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision following a unanimous vote by Israel's war cabinet, stating on X that "the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel." In a separate statement, he accused Al Jazeera correspondents of endangering Israel's security and declared, "the time has come to expel Hamas's mouthpiece from our country." Israel's actions aligned it with several autocratic nations in the region that have attempted to silence the network, which has been both praised and criticized since its establishment nearly 30 years ago, significantly influencing the media landscape in the Arab world.
"This marks a dark day for the media," remarked the board of Israel's Foreign Press Association in a statement. "It is also a dark day for democracy."
The move also risks straining relations with Qatar, Al Jazeera's sponsor, particularly as Qatar plays a pivotal role in mediating cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
During Sunday afternoon, a Washington Post reporter observed several uniformed and plainclothes Israeli officers entering one of Al Jazeera's offices in a hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The officers confiscated camera equipment, cases, and cardboard boxes as photographers watched. The office was closed in accordance with the government's directive," stated Stefanie Dekker, a senior foreign correspondent for Al Jazeera English, as she departed the office.
Al Jazeera issued a statement condemning what it termed a "deceptive and slanderous move," occurring less than a week after World Press Freedom Day.
"Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access information. Al Jazeera asserts its right to continue providing news and information to its global audiences," the statement read.
The network reported that its news websites were blocked, some transmissions halted in Israel, and its staff had their accreditations withdrawn. It stated that it "vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated," and accused Israel of attempting to "conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip." It was not immediately clear if the government order would impact the channel's operations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank or the ability of visiting correspondents to remain in Israel.
Al Jazeera, established in 1996, operates English- and Arabic-language news channels, as well as news websites and a significant social media presence. Funded by the Qatari government, it became known for hosting open debates on sensitive topics, previously unheard of on state-run Arab media. Its audience expanded as it covered the U.S.-led military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the Arab Spring uprisings that began in late 2010. In recent years, the Arabic-language channels have faced criticism from regional governments for providing a platform to Islamist groups, including militant organizations like Hamas, which frequently provide exclusive coverage. Since the start of the Gaza conflict, Al Jazeera reporters have provided extensive and highly critical coverage of Israel's military operations across the enclave, while other international outlets have been barred by Israel and Egypt from entering Gaza. Employees of the channel in Israel and the Palestinian territories have been targeted in numerous incidents over the years.
Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian American correspondent for the network, was killed by Israeli gunfire while on assignment in the West Bank in May 2022.
Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Jerusalem, Walid Omary, informed the network on Sunday that there have been more than 50 attacks against Al Jazeera journalists since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people inside Israel. In December, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa, 45, was killed by an Israeli drone attack while reporting in Khan Younis. Wael al-Dahdouh, a veteran Gaza correspondent, was also injured in the attack. Dahdouh's son Hamza, also a journalist, and drone operator Mustafa Thuraya were killed in an Israeli drone strike in January.
The network pledged on Sunday to "pursue all available legal channels through international legal institutions in its quest to protect both its rights and journalists, as well as the public's right to information."
The Committee to Protect Journalists had urged Israeli authorities not to impose a ban when it was first proposed in October, stating that a "plurality of media voices is essential to hold power accountable, especially during times of war."
Israel's Foreign Press Association expressed concern over the decision to shut down Al Jazeera, stating, "With this decision, Israel joins a dubious club of authoritarian governments that have banned the station. We urge the government to reverse this harmful step and uphold its commitment to freedom of the press, including outlets whose coverage it may not like."
The United Nations' Human Rights office also called on the Israeli government to overturn the ban.
As of Friday, at least 97 journalists and media workers have been killed in the war so far, according to preliminary investigations by the CPJ — among them 92 Palestinians, two Israelis, and three Lebanese nationals.
"Israeli military authorities adamantly deny targeting journalists or provide only scant information when they acknowledge press killings," the CPJ said in its latest report. "Critical information about their lives and work may have been lost forever."
The cabinet decision on Sunday comes a month after Israeli lawmakers voted 71-10 in favor of the bill that allowed Netanyahu's government to ban Al Jazeera from operating in Israel, citing national security concerns.
At the time, the Biden administration offered restrained criticism, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calling the news "concerning" and stating that the United States believes "in the freedom of the press."
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi pledged on Sunday to "immediately implement" the order, but the government's decision could be challenged in a district court within 24 hours. The judge can impose a time limit on the order, which currently provides for a 45-day shutdown that can be extended for another 45 days."