The Israeli Knesset has passed a law extending the closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in Jerusalem and solidifying the ban on the network’s operations within Israel. The legislation, initially enacted as a temporary emergency measure in April 2024, has now been made permanent after a second and third reading in the Knesset.
The law, sometimes referred to as the “Al Jazeera Law,” grants the Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, the authority to extend the closure of Al Jazeera’s offices until the end of 2027. Furthermore, it empowers the Minister and the Prime Minister to order the closure of foreign news channels and confiscate their equipment if they are deemed a threat to national security, regardless of whether a state of emergency, such as a war, exists, and without requiring a prior court order.
This move effectively bypasses the previous requirement for a declared state of emergency to justify such actions against media outlets. Critics argue that the law represents a significant infringement on press freedom and could be used to silence dissenting voices.
The original temporary order, implemented on May 5, 2024, led to the immediate closure of Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem bureau and a prohibition on its journalistic activities within the country. The government cited national security concerns as the primary justification for the initial ban.
The vote in the Knesset saw 22 members in favor of the law and 10 against. Notably, nine Arab members of the Knesset voted against the legislation, reflecting concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression and the targeting of specific media outlets.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and Al Jazeera, raising concerns about the future of media freedom within Israel. The long-term implications of this law remain to be seen, but it sets a precedent that could impact other foreign media organizations operating in the region.
