Al Jazeera Shut Down: Netanyahu angry with Al Jazeera’s reporting, channel’s office closed in Israel

Israel has decided to close the local offices of Qatar-owned media channel Al Jazeera. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet on Sunday decided to close the local offices of Al Jazeera in Israel as long as the war in Gaza continues.

Netanyahu’s cabinet argued behind the decision that the Qatari television network poses a threat to national security. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has called the move a “criminal action” and rejected the allegation that the television network poses a threat to Israeli security. The channel said that this is a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that is being spread against its journalists. The channel said that it reserves the right to “take every legal step” regarding this matter.

Meanwhile, Israeli satellite and cable television providers blocked Al Jazeera’s broadcasts following the government’s decision. The Communications Ministry said the station was under police raid. The channel is funded by, and has criticized, the Qatari government and Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that his government had voted unanimously to close the local office of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera. Relations between Israel and the channel have soured further during the Israel-Hamas war.

Let us tell you that the Netanyahu government has taken this decision at a time when ceasefire talks with Hamas are gaining momentum in Qatar. According to the report of news agency AP, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that this decision will come into effect immediately. The decision may include closing the channel’s office in Israel, confiscating its broadcasting equipment, stopping the broadcast of the channel’s reports and blocking its website.