The head of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has accused Israel of attempting to silence media voices to cover up alleged atrocities in the Gaza Strip. This accusation comes in the wake of the Israeli government’s decision to extend the ban on Al Jazeera’s operations within the country.
According to CPJ’s President, the Israeli government’s move to extend the ban, close its offices, and prevent broadcasting companies from providing services to the network for another 90 days is part of a larger pattern. She expressed concern over the Israeli narrative that a media outlet’s broadcast could undermine national security.
The CPJ President argued that Israel frequently accuses media outlets it dislikes of threatening national security, employing tactics similar to those of authoritarian regimes seeking to silence dissenting voices. She emphasized that censorship, while capable of silencing individual journalists, cannot suppress the truth. She pointed to the brave individuals who continue to report on the events in Gaza, demonstrating the futility of censorship in the long run, as it ultimately provides a distorted view of reality.
She further stated that Israel is attempting to tarnish Al Jazeera’s reputation. She urged media outlets and organizations to persevere in their work, refusing to be intimidated by those who seek to silence them.
Addressing Israel’s continued exclusion of foreign media from Gaza, even after the cessation of hostilities, the CPJ President deemed the situation unprecedented. She noted that in most international conflicts, international press is granted access to cover events in conflict zones, citing examples such as Syria and Ukraine. She concluded that the level of restrictions imposed by Israel is unparalleled. The CPJ is reportedly in communication with Israeli authorities to find a way for international journalists to access Gaza.
The Israeli government initially approved a proposal to shut down Al Jazeera in May 2024.
