Israel to shut down Al Jazeera offices amid rising tensions
The decision to ban the Qatar-based newsgroup marks an escalation in the long-running feud between Israel and Al Jazeera, Euronews reports.
Israel's government has voted to close down Al Jazeera, amid rising tensions over the media outlet's coverage of the war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that his cabinet had unanimously voted to shut down the local offices of the Qatar-owned broadcaster.
He revealed the government’s decision on X, though further details were not clear.
"My government decided unanimously: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will close in Israel," the post read in Hebrew.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision on X, calling it "repressive legislation" aiming to "censor the channel for its coverage of the war in Gaza."
The implications for the news broadcaster were not immediately apparent – for example, when the ban would come into effect and whether the decision was permanent or temporary.
No immediate comment was available from the Al Jazeera headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
However, a correspondent at the broadcaster said the order would only affect its operations in Israel and east Jerusalem. Operations in Palestinian territories would not be affected, they added.
Israel has had a tense relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias against the country.
