Al Jazeera. Israeli Parliament approves law allowing ban on broadcasting

The text approved by deputies in the Knesset this Monday gives power to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Communications of prohibit the broadcasting of any foreign media operating in Israel, as well as closing their offices, if they represent “a real danger to the security of the State”.

The law was approved with 71 votes in favor and ten votes against.

In addition to suspending broadcasts and closing local offices, the law also allows the Government to block the respective website and confiscate devices used to broadcast content, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The channel ban order must be presented to the president of a district court, who may decide to change or limit its validity. Once approved, any ban will last for 45 days, with the option to extend for a further 45 days.

On twitter, The Prime Minister of Israel stated this Monday that Al Jazeera “harmed Israel’s security” and accused the channel of having “actively participated in the October 7th massacre”.

Benjamin Netanyahu also considers that the broadcaster incited violence against the Israeli military and that, also for this reason, he intends to “act immediately, in accordance with the new law” to end the channel’s activity in Israeli territory.

“Worrying” decision

In a first reaction to this decision, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said this Monday that the possible ban on Al Jazeera in Israel would be a “worrying” decision.

“We believe in press freedom. It is fundamental. It’s critically important, and the United States supports the critically important work of journalists around the world, and that includes those reporting on the conflict in Gaza,” the spokeswoman said.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, cited by Haaretz, criticized the law approved this Monday, considering that the true objective is “not related to security”, it is rather “political”, as it allows the Government to suspend emissions foreigners “who are not to their liking”.

He also considered that this law is particularly dangerous because it constitutes a “serious violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press”. Furthermore, it is a “continuation of the judicial reform” underway in the countryas it prevents courts from intervening in decisions regarding the closure of social media outlets.