Netanyahu Cabinet Votes Unanimously To Shut Qatar-Backed Al Jazeera In Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday (5 May) that his government has unanimously voted to close the local offices of Al Jazeera, a broadcaster owned by Qatar.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi signed an executive order immediately after the vote passed, and it thus came into effect right away.

In a video statement, Karhi called Al Jazeera a "Hamas incitement organ."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also posted on X, "The government under my leadership decided unanimously: The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be shut down in Israel."

The decision, which requires recertification every 45 days, includes shutting down Al Jazeera broadcasts in Arabic and English; shutting down Al Jazeera's offices in Israel; seizing equipment used for its broadcasts; and limiting access to its websites.

The decision was based on a law that Israel's Knesset (parliament) passed on 2 April, which expires on 31 July. The legislation will therefore need to be extended if the Israeli government wishes to extend the decision beyond that date, Jerusalem Post reported.

This move marks an escalation in Israel's ongoing dispute with Al Jazeera, with Netanyahu citing the channel's alleged bias against Israel as a longstanding concern.

Al Jazeera has been one of the few international media outlets operating in Gaza during the recent conflict, broadcasting footage of airstrikes and scenes from overcrowded hospitals while also accusing Israel of committing massacres.

In turn, Israel has accused Al Jazeera of collaborating with Hamas.

The decision to shut down Al Jazeera's local offices also raises tensions with Qatar, which owns the broadcaster.

Qatar has been actively involved in mediation efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza, and this move by Israel could potentially strain those efforts.

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