AI Jazeera, the first English news outlet based in the Middle East, is being threatened with being expelled from Israel after a law was passed to shut down foreign channels in
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last Monday that the country is barring several international news organizations for allegedly inciting a "dangerous ludicrous lie" about the country.
(Photo : Karim Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images)
Netanyahu particularly named the Qatar-based news outlet being a "terror channel" over its scrutinizing reports on the Israeli government and its attack on Palestinian civilians.
The temporary ban is effective for 45 days and can be renewed repeatedly.
Al Jazeera Under Fire from Israeli Gov't Amid Conflict in the West Bank
Al Jazeera is among the few news outlets that remain in Gaza amid Israel's bombardment in the West Bank.
Outside of reports from the Israel Defense Forces, Al Jazeera has been the primary source of information on the brutalities happening to Palestinians in the war-torn region. Several Al Jazeera journalists have already been killed throughout the air strikes.
The Israeli prime minister has repeatedly called for the shutdown of Al Jazeera, even threatening to further escalate its conflict with Qatar's Doha government.
In response, the publication condemned Israel's law as "part of a series of systematic Israeli attacks to silence Al Jazeera". The news agency reiterated to continue reporting on the situation in Gaza.
Al Jazeera: Netanyahu's statements are lies that incite against the safety of our journalists around the world. pic.twitter.com/kp4bRpertI
— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 2, 2024
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Will the Al Jazeera Ban Will Affect Platforms in the US?
As of writing, the US declared no intention to follow Israel with its temporary ban on Al Jazeera in the country.
In a report by the Time, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the state might not always agree with the publication's reports but still "we support the independent free press anywhere in the world."
Al Jazeera holds a headquarters in the US where it reports on the White House's response towards Israel, particularly its shipping weapons to the Middle East as support towards the Israel campaign.
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