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The Israeli Cabinet has unanimously decided to shut down network operations in Israel, but it is not clear when the decision will take effect.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has unanimously voted to shut down Al Jazeera's operations in Israel, according to a government statement.
Sunday's cabinet decision came after Israel's parliament passed a law allowing the temporary closure in Israel of foreign broadcasters deemed a threat to national security during the Gaza war.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the decision on is not.
The decision escalated a long-standing feud between Israel and Al Jazeera. It also threatened to escalate tensions with Qatar, which funds the channel, as Doha plays a key role in mediation efforts to end the war in Gaza.
Israel has long had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias and collaboration with Hamas. The Qatar-based network has repeatedly rejected the accusations.
Al Jazeera was one of the few international news organizations to remain in Gaza throughout the war, broadcasting bloody scenes of airstrikes and overcrowded hospitals, and condemning the massacres committed by Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said last month that he would “immediately stop” Al Jazeera's operations in Israel after parliament passed a law giving senior ministers the power to shut down foreign news networks deemed to pose a security risk. He vowed to take action.
“Al Jazeera violated Israel's security, actively participated in the October 7 massacre, and incited attacks against Israeli soldiers,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X.
The Qatar-based network accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of “incitement,” saying he was “responsible for the safety of its staff and network facilities around the world following incitement and false accusations made in this disgraceful manner.” “There is,” he said.
