Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared his intention to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, calling it a “terror channel” and accusing it of spreading incitement, Associated Press reports.
This move follows the enactment of a new law by Israel’s parliament to facilitate the closure. Al Jazeera condemned Netanyahu’s claims and reiterated its commitment to professional journalism. The relationship between Israel and Al Jazeera has been strained after the killing of a correspondent and a cameraman during the Gaza conflict.
The move has sparked concerns about press freedom, with critics denouncing it as an infringement on the right to free speech and media plurality in Israel. The decision could also strain relations with Qatar, which owns Al Jazeera and has been mediating efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.
