Israel banned Al Jazeera channel, took the step after the law was passed in the Parliament; White House expressed concern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to shut down Al Jazeera news channel. According to news agency ANI, the decision to shut down Al Jazeera network has been taken after a law was passed on Monday.

According to CNN report, this law gives the government the right to ban foreign news channels considered a threat to national security.

Netanyahu posted on X
After the law was passed, in a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu expressed his intention to take immediate action in accordance with the new law to stop the activity of Qatar-based news channels in the country.

Al Jazeera condemned the statement
However, Al Jazeera condemned Netanyahu’s statement and said it would continue its bold coverage. The new law gives the Prime Minister and the Communications Minister the right to order the temporary shutdown of foreign networks operating in Israel.

Israel has raised questions about Al Jazeera’s coverage
According to CNN, Netanyahu’s government has consistently complained about Al Jazeera’s campaigns, accusing it of anti-Israel bias. In his statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Al Jazeera of working for Hamas.

White House expressed concern
The White House also described reports of the move to shut down Al Jazeera as worrying. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a press conference on Monday that the United States supports the work of journalists around the world, including those reporting on the war in Gaza.