(ConservativeInsider.org) – The Israeli government has unanimously decided to close the offices of the Qatari-owned news network Al Jazeera in the country.
Al Jazeera network is partly funded by the Qatari government, which also means that Israel’s decision to ban the media outlet is expected to impact its bilateral relations with Qatar, a country which is playing a key role in the current ceasefire talks that are unlikely to succeed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to Twitter to announce the decision. It remains unknown whether the ban is temporary or permanent. However, Israeli media has reported that the ban will last for almost 45 days.
Al Jazeera has also accused the Israeli government of raiding its office in East Jerusalem immediately following the ban, confiscating its equipment.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has announced that it will pursue legal paths against Israel. The news director of Al Jazeera English, Salah Nagm, noted that the media network is looking for any available option to challenge this decision.
The Israeli government has long accused Al Jazeera of biased coverage in matters related to the Israel and Palestine conflict. However, the channel has denounced such allegations, claiming that the network is only committed to bringing information and news to its global audience. Al Jazeera is one of the few channels that has largely remained present in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
It has covered the Gaza war from ground zero and reported graphic visuals of Israel’s onslaught on civilian population and hospitals. The channel claims that Israeli warring ambitions are causing a massacre in Gaza, a claim which the Israeli government continues to deny. On the other hand, the Netanyahu government has even claimed that Al Jazeera is collaborating with Hamas.
Although the English branch of the Al Jazeera network reports similarly to other broadcasters, its Arabic wing has often broadcast statements from Hamas and other extremist groups involved in attacks against Israel.
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