Israel Votes To Shut Down Al Jazeera In The Country

An Israeli government statement has said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has today voted to close Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Asian country. The cabinet passed the decision unanimously and according to reports, it did not mention when the decision might take effect.

Earlier, the Israeli parliament had passed a law that allowed temporary closure of foreign broadcasters the country considered threat to national security in light of the Gaza war going on after Hamas attacked Israeli territories on October 7, 2023.

“The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” Netanyahu announced the decision on X in a Hebrew post.

Al Jazeera is one of the few media organisations reporting from Gaza on the atrocities inflicted by the Israeli forces since the latest brutal assault began on October 7 last year. The decision by the Israeli authorities over Al Jazeera operations may have farther ramifications as the media house is owned by Qatar, a country which is seriously involved in the mediation talks between Hamas and Israel.

Al Jazeera is a prominent international news organisation broadcast news in English and Arabic headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Established in 1996, it quickly gained recognition for its comprehensive coverage of global events, particularly focusing on the West Asia and North Africa. Despite its reputation for journalistic excellence, Al Jazeera has faced criticism and controversy regarding its political leanings and alleged biases.

Al Jazeera’s ownership by the Qatari government has raised questions about its editorial independence. Critics argue that it reflects Qatar’s foreign policy objectives and promotes a pro-Islamist or pro-Qatari government narrative. This perception has led to accusations of bias, particularly in its coverage of regional conflicts such as the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War.

However, supporters of Al Jazeera counter that it provides a valuable alternative perspective, challenging Western-dominated media narratives and offering a platform for voices often marginalized in mainstream discourse. They argue that its coverage reflects a commitment to diverse viewpoints and journalistic integrity.

Al Jazeera remains a significant player in the global media space, reaching millions of viewers worldwide through its television network, website, and social media platforms. Its impact on international discourse continues to provoke debate about the intersection of journalism, politics, and media ownership in the 21st century.

In April first week, when Israel’s Parliament passed a bill that could potentially ban the working of foreign broadcasters including Al Jazeera, the Qatar based broadcaster denounced Israel’s threat to shut down its operation in Israel saying the allegations against it a “dangerous ludicrous lie”. The row between the media outlet and Israel started after Benjamin Netanyahu accused Al Jazeera of actively participating in the October 7th attack. Then the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) overwhelmingly voted in favour of the law that allows the temporary shutting down of any broadcasters it deems as a “threat to national security”.