Israel imposes 'censorship' on Al Jazeera! Reaction from RSF
The Israeli Cabinet has decided to shut down the Qatar-based television channel Al Jazeera. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has reacted to the situation, strongly condemning the move.
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According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Media Office earlier today, the proposal presented by Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi at the Cabinet Meeting to "terminate the operations of the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television channel in Israel and close its offices" was unanimously approved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a post on his social media account, "The government headed by me has unanimously decided to shut down the incitement channel Al Jazeera in Israel."
The decision includes terminating the operations of Al Jazeera's television channels and websites in Israel, stopping their broadcasts, blocking access to their websites, closing their offices, and seizing their equipment.
In a post on its X account, the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which advocates for press freedom, reported that the Israeli government had unanimously decided to halt Al Jazeera's operations in Israel.
The post emphasized that the organization strongly condemns this "repressive" decision by the Israeli government, which is imposing "censorship" on the Qatar-based channel due to its coverage of the war in Gaza.
Le gouvernement Israélien a voté à l'unanimité l'arrêt des opérations d'@AlJazeera en #Israël sans préciser quand la décision prendra effet.
— RSF (@RSF_inter) May 5, 2024
RSF condamne fermement une législation liberticide qui censure la chaine pour sa couverture de la guerre à #Gaza. https://t.co/0BShXsOhmO
WHAT HAPPENED?
In a report dated October 20, 2023, the Israeli state broadcaster KAN reported that the Israeli government had approved regulations allowing for the closure of television channels that "pose a threat to state security."
It was stated that in line with the decision, it would be possible to close Al Jazeera's offices in Israel and seize their equipment.
Israeli ministers approved the bill, known in the media as the "Al Jazeera Bill," on February 12, and the parliament gave its initial approval to the law during its first reading on the same day.
Israeli Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi also announced on February 21 that the necessary procedures to prevent Al Jazeera from broadcasting had been completed.