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SvennoJ on 01 April 2024
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Netanyahu statements are ‘lies’, incite against safety of journalists: Al Jazeera statement

The Al Jazeera Media Network has released a statement after the Knesset passed a law likely to pave the way for the banning of the news organisation in Israel. Following the passing of the law by parliament, Netanyahu said that he would “act immediately to stop” Al Jazeera’s broadcasts in the country.

Here’s the full statement:

In an escalating move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a frantic campaign against Al Jazeera, accusing it of harming Israel’s security, actively participating in the October 7 attack, and inciting against Israeli soldiers. Al Jazeera Media Network condemns these statements and sees [them] as nothing but dangerous ludicrous lies.

Netanyahu could not find any justifications to offer the world for his ongoing attacks on Al Jazeera and Press Freedom except to present new lies and inflammatory slanders against the Network and the rights of its employees.

Al Jazeera holds the Israeli prime minister responsible for the safety of its staff and Network premises around the world, following his incitement and this false accusation in a disgraceful manner.

The network stresses that this latest measure comes as part of a series of systematic Israeli attacks to silence Al Jazeera, including the assassination of its correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh, the killing of its journalists Samer AbuDaqqa and Hamza AlDahdouh, the bombing of its office in Gaza, the deliberate targeting of a number of Al Jazeera journalists and their family members, and the arrest and intimidation of its correspondents in the field.

Al Jazeera reiterates that such slanderous accusations will not deter us from continuing our bold and professional coverage, and reserves the right to pursue every legal step.

CPJ: Deeply concerned at new Israeli legislation to shut down Al Jazeera in Israel

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has commented on the expected Israeli move to ban Al Jazeera, saying the law passed by the Israeli parliament gives Netanyahu’s government “the authority to shut down any foreign media outlets operating in Israel, posing a significant threat to international media”.

“This contributes to a climate of self-censorship and hostility towards the press, a trend that has escalated since the start of the Israel-Gaza war,” the CPJ said.


White House calls Israel’s move to ban Al Jazeera ‘concerning’

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre has expressed concern about Netanyahu’s push to stop Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.

“We believe in the freedom of the press. It is critical. It is critically important, and the United States supports the critically important work of journalists around the world, and that includes those who are reporting in the conflict in Gaza,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.

“So we believe that work is important. The freedom of the press is important. And if those reports are true, it is concerning to us.”

More like the US believes in controlling the press rather than banning the press. Al Jazeera is funded by Qatar though, and Israel is getting increasingly annoyed with Qatar for remaining neutral, ie not on Israel's side like the US and its media.