Israeli authorities conducted a raid on a Jerusalem hotel room utilized by Al Jazeera as its office following the government’s decision to shut down the Qatari-owned TV station’s local operations on Sunday, according to sources from both the Israeli official and Al Jazeera itself.
Video footage circulated online depicted plainclothes officers disassembling camera equipment in a hotel room situated in East Jerusalem, as confirmed by the Al Jazeera source.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet ordered the closure of the network for the duration of the Gaza conflict, citing concerns over national security.
Al Jazeera countered, labeling the move a “criminal action” and dismissing accusations of posing a security threat as baseless and hazardous to its journalists. The network vowed to pursue all legal avenues available to challenge the decision.
Throughout the conflict in Gaza, Al Jazeera has been critical of Israel’s military operations, providing coverage from the region.
Netanyahu expressed the government’s decision via social media, affirming the closure of what he referred to as the “incitement channel Al Jazeera” following a unanimous cabinet vote.
Press Freedom Under Threat
The Israeli government promptly implemented the closure measures, with the communications minister issuing orders for immediate action.
Although some lawmakers supported the move, concerns remained over potential legal challenges from Al Jazeera.
The measures included shuttering Al Jazeera’s Israeli offices, confiscating broadcasting equipment, suspending transmissions via cable and satellite providers, and blocking access to its websites. The directive did not address Al Jazeera’s operations in Gaza.
Israeli satellite and cable TV providers ceased Al Jazeera broadcasts in compliance with the government’s decision.
Qatar, the network’s home country, refrained from immediate comment, deferring to Al Jazeera. The network accused Israel of deliberately targeting and causing harm to its journalists, highlighting instances where journalists were killed during the conflict.
Al Jazeera, established in 1996, remains a cornerstone of Qatar’s media landscape and a global news provider.
The closure sparked condemnation from the UN Human Rights Office, emphasizing the importance of a free and independent media for transparency and accountability, particularly amid tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza.
Israel’s parliament had previously ratified a law allowing the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters deemed a national security threat, empowering the government to shutter Al Jazeera’s Israeli offices for a renewable 45-day period.
