Israel extends Al Jazeera’s broadcasting ban
Al Jazeera’s offices will remain shut in Israel for 45 more days, according to Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who says he is “convinced” the broadcasting ban will be extended in the future as well.
Announcing the development on X, Karhi thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government for approving the extension.
“We will not allow the Al Jazeera terrorist channel to broadcast in Israel and endanger our fighters. I have now signed the extension of the orders banning Al Jazeera channel broadcasts in Israel,” Karhi said.
Al Jazeera has sent a comment to the minister through its lawyer, rejecting this decision and denying all accusations and justifications on which the minister based his decision.
The Doha-based news network in a statement last month condemned the shutdown, describing it as a “criminal act”.
“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 May 5.
‘Democracies don’t ban freedom of speech’
We knew that Israel’s information minister, Shlomo Karhi, was looking to get the cabinet to extend the ban on Al Jazeera. That cabinet approval has now been received, so the ban is back in place.
Al Jazeera has sent a response to Karhi via lawyers.
Internationally, the ban has been condemned. The Americans have spoken about press freedom. The European Union, the British and most Western nations that see themselves as Democratic have called into question the wisdom of the ban and asked Israel to lift it.
Israel considers itself a democracy. Democracies don’t ban freedom of speech.
Let’s see where we go after 45 days. This is going to take us to around August 5.
Not good for Israel to be seen as ‘curbing’ freedom of speech
Yossi Mekelberg, associate fellow at Chatham House, says he doesn’t see how Al Jazeera is a “threat” to Israel’s national interests.
“Some of the things that are seen on Al Jazeera are unpleasant for Israel, maybe some of the commentators are saying things Israel is not pleased, and it’s entitled not to be pleased [with], but it needs to present counterarguments,” Mekelberg told Al Jazeera.
“I don’t think it’s good for Israel to be seen, especially considering what’s happening, as trying to curb freedom of speech.”
Mekelberg added that Israel is “entitled” to present its narrative on the war but due to some of the things that are shown on Al Jazeera “many Israelis don’t watch [that] on other channels”.
