Benjamin Netanyahu declares a ban on Al Jazeera in Israel

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the government has decided to close the local unit of Qatar’s worldwide news channel Al Jazeera. The statement comes amid a long-standing dispute between the government and the international news channel.

“The government unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” Netanyahu wrote on X.

“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.

“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.