Al Jazeera Media Network has tagged Israel’s act of closing its operations in the country as a “criminal act” and warned that the country’s suppression of the free press “stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law”.
“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences,” the network said in a statement on Sunday.
“Israel’s ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation, and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.
“The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics,” it said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet voted unanimously to shut Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, weeks after Israel’s parliament passed a law licensing the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters. According to the parliament, these broadcasters were considered a threat to national security since the war with Hamas ensued after the October 7 attack.
Netanyahu announced the decision on X, stating: “The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel.”
Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi also wrote on X that he had granted the orders against Al Jazeera, which would be effective immediately.
The minister also said he ordered the seizure of Al Jazeera’s broadcasting equipment “used to deliver the channel’s content”, as well as editing and routing equipment, cameras, microphones, servers, laptops, wireless transmission equipment, and some mobile phones.
Later on Sunday, Al Jazeera’s premises were raided by the police in occupied East Jerusalem and satellite and cable providers took Al Jazeera off air.
