Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would move swiftly to halt Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel after parliament passed a law granting senior ministers powers to shut down foreign media outlets deemed a security threat.
In a post on X, Netanyahu accused the Qatar-based network of harming Israel’s security, inciting violence and supporting the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks. He said action would be taken immediately under the new law.
Al Jazeera rejected the allegations, calling them defamatory, and said it holds Netanyahu responsible for the safety of its staff and offices worldwide. The network said it would continue its coverage and explore legal options.
The law, passed by a 71-10 vote in the Knesset, allows the prime minister and communications minister to close foreign news organisations and seize equipment if they are seen as endangering national security.
The White House said any move to shut down Al Jazeera would be concerning, stressing the importance of press freedom, particularly during conflict. Media watchdog CPJ warned the law poses a serious threat to international journalism and encourages censorship.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused Al Jazeera of acting as a propaganda tool for Hamas and said steps would be taken to block its broadcasts in Israel, though the order would not apply to the West Bank or Gaza.
Israel has frequently targeted Al Jazeera, whose journalists have faced deadly attacks during the Gaza war. The legislation comes amid mass protests against Netanyahu’s handling of the war and security failures surrounding the Oct. 7 attacks.
