NETANYAHU'S CABINET VOTES TO CLOSE AL JAZEERA OFFICES IN ISRAEL

NEW DELHI: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that in a unanimous decision, his government has resolved to close down the offices of Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news broadcaster in Israel.

The announcement was made by Netanyahu on the social media platform X, however the details regarding the implementation timeline and the duration of the closure, whether it was permanent or temporary were not clear.

“My government decided unanimously: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will close in Israel,” Netanyahu wrote in a post on X, whereas, Al Jazeera has strongly refuted allegations of inciting against Israel.

Decision to shut Al Jazeera

The decision to shut down Al Jazeera's offices comes amidst the escalating tensions between Israel and the news channel, which have further worsened during the ongoing conflict against Hamas.

It also coincides with Qatar's efforts to facilitate a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aimed at bringing an end to the war in Gaza.

Response from Al Jazeera

No immediate response was provided from the channel headquarters in Doha, Qatar. A correspondent from Al Jazeera's Arabic service said that the directive would impact the broadcaster's activities in Israel and East Jerusalem, where they had been conducting live broadcasts in these areas since the outbreak of conflict following the October 7 attack in Gaza.

According to Israeli media reports, the vote grants Israel the authority to prevent the channel from broadcasting in the country for a period of 45 days. Israel's Communications Minister, Shlomo Karhi announced in a video posted on X that the channel's "equipment will be confiscated."

Qatar, Netanyahu's relationship

This decision has the potential to escalate tensions with Qatar at a critical juncture when the Doha government is playing a pivotal role in mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza, alongside Egypt and the United States.

Qatar's relationship with Netanyahu has been strained, particularly following his remarks suggesting that Qatar is not applying sufficient pressure on Hamas to compel it to compromise on its terms for a truce agreement. Qatar provides a safe haven for Hamas leaders in exile.

The parties seem to be on the verge of reaching an agreement, but several previous rounds of negotiations have concluded without a resolution. Israel has long had a contentious relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias. The situation took a significant turn for the worse nearly two years ago when Shireen Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera correspondent, was killed during an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank.

Attack and accusations on Al Jazeera

In December, an Israeli strike claimed the life of an Al Jazeera cameraman as he was covering the conflict in southern Gaza. The channel's bureau chief in Gaza, Wael Dahdouh, sustained injuries in the same attack.

Al Jazeera is among the few international media outlets that have remained in Gaza throughout the war, broadcasting graphic scenes of airstrikes and overcrowded hospitals while accusing Israel of committing massacres.

Israel, in turn, accuses Al Jazeera of collaborating with Hamas.

Al Jazeera has faced closure or censorship by other governments in the Middle East. These include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain during a years-long boycott of Doha by these countries amidst a prolonged political dispute that was resolved in 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)