Israel's parliament has extended an order allowing the government to shut down foreign broadcasters operating in the country. The legislation, passed by 22 votes to 10, expands temporary powers introduced during the Gaza war to shutter outlets seen as a threat to national security. It allows the government for the next two years to cease operations of a foreign outlet even in peace time and without the need for a court order. Originally dubbed the 'Al Jazeera Law', the powers were used to shut down the Qatari-owned channel's offices and block its broadcasts in May 2024.
Israel accused Al Jazeera - which has been a strong critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza - of anti-Israel bias and of supporting Hamas in its coverage. Al Jazeera denied the accusations and condemned Israel's actions, calling it a 'criminal act' and an attack on press freedom. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said last year that the temporary order violated 'freedom of expression, the right to information and freedom of the press, and blocks citizens and residents from receiving a variety of information that does not fit the Israeli narrative or is not broadcast on Israeli media channels'.
The legislation extending the order was passed just hours after the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to shut down Army Radio, a state-funded station operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but run with editorial independence. Under the plan proposed by Defence Minister Israel Katz, the station will cease operations by March 1, 2026. Katz argued that Army Radio 'no longer serves as a mouthpiece and ear for soldiers and broadcasts divisive content that is not in line with IDF values'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that a military-operated station is uncommon globally, suggesting it aligns more with regimes like North Korea. In response, the Union of Journalists and Journalists' Organizations announced intentions to petition the High Court against the decision, deeming it a severe infringement on freedom of expression. The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) characterized the shut down of Army Radio as a significant violation of media independence, linking it to a troubling trend of erosion of democratic principles within Israel.
Israel accused Al Jazeera - which has been a strong critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza - of anti-Israel bias and of supporting Hamas in its coverage. Al Jazeera denied the accusations and condemned Israel's actions, calling it a 'criminal act' and an attack on press freedom. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said last year that the temporary order violated 'freedom of expression, the right to information and freedom of the press, and blocks citizens and residents from receiving a variety of information that does not fit the Israeli narrative or is not broadcast on Israeli media channels'.
The legislation extending the order was passed just hours after the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to shut down Army Radio, a state-funded station operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but run with editorial independence. Under the plan proposed by Defence Minister Israel Katz, the station will cease operations by March 1, 2026. Katz argued that Army Radio 'no longer serves as a mouthpiece and ear for soldiers and broadcasts divisive content that is not in line with IDF values'.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that a military-operated station is uncommon globally, suggesting it aligns more with regimes like North Korea. In response, the Union of Journalists and Journalists' Organizations announced intentions to petition the High Court against the decision, deeming it a severe infringement on freedom of expression. The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) characterized the shut down of Army Radio as a significant violation of media independence, linking it to a troubling trend of erosion of democratic principles within Israel.
