Al Jazeera to be imminently banned from broadcasting in Israel

In a press conference, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said:

‘We believe in the freedom of the press. It is critical. It is critically important, and the United States supports the critically important work journalists do around the world, and that includes those who are reporting on the conflict in Gaza.’

Al Jazeera’s team has offered some of the most reliable and consistent coverage from inside Gaza, with no foreign journalists being allowed to enter the strip in recent months.

Though many Palestinian journalists have taken to social media to update the world about their plight, their reports are stunted by power and internet cuts. Many have also been wounded or killed since October 7^th.

The IDF has been accused of specifically targeting journalists in its attacks. Of all journalists killed while on duty in 2023, 75 percent of them were reporting on the war in Gaza.

"In Gaza its really become the primary source of information for the entire community given that Israel has blocked access to Gaza for foreign journalists for 6 months"@OmarSShakir from @hrw on the critical contribution of Al Jazeera. pic.twitter.com/MmjIXuDodZ

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) April 2, 2024

Jodie Ginsberg, the chief executive officer of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concerns over the new law. ‘It’s another example of the tightening of the free press and the stranglehold the Israeli government would like to exercise,’ said Ginsberg.

It is also not the first time that Israel has banned a new agency from broadcasting inside its borders. It blocked Al Mayadeen, a small Lebanese channel, from operating in the country last year.

Al Jazeera’s response to the ban on their service in Israel – and the accusations of being linked with Hamas – was released in a statement:

‘[Benjamin] Netanyahu could not find any justifications to offer the world for his ongoing attacks on Al Jazeera and press freedom except to present new lies and inflammatory slanders against the Network and the rights of its employees.’

It seems the move is just another way for Israel’s government to shield itself from scrutiny and prevent Israeli citizens from understanding what is happening just a few kilometres away.