Israel Extends Ban on Al Jazeera Media Network Operations for Another 90 Days

Tel Aviv. Israel has extended the ban on all activities of the Al Jazeera media network within the country by another 90 days. According to an order signed by Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi on Sunday, Al Jazeera's offices will remain closed, and internet service providers and YouTube are also prohibited from providing services to the network within Israel.

The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet to shut down Al Jazeera's operations in Israel came in May 2024, when Israel's military offensive in Gaza was at its peak.

This decision followed the passage of a law by the Israeli parliament allowing for the temporary closure of foreign media outlets deemed a threat to national security. In September of that year, Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah, the capital of the occupied West Bank, seizing equipment and documents before shutting down the office.

Subsequently, in December, the Israeli parliament extended the 'Al Jazeera Law' for an additional two years. According to Walid al-Omari, the Bureau Chief for Al Jazeera Arabic in Jerusalem and Ramallah, the latest decision comes nine days after Israel's Ministry of Communications stated that the network's broadcasting continues to be harmful to Israel's security.

Previously, Al Jazeera had objected after Netanyahu accused the network of spreading libelous allegations. The Qatar-based media organization had asserted that suppressing independent journalism violates international and humanitarian law, clarifying that such measures would not stop them from providing impartial and courageous reporting. Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera has also warned that it will take all necessary legal measures if required.