Israeli government votes to close Al Jazeera offices in Israel

The Israeli government on Sunday voted unanimously to close Al Jazeera operations in Israel due to its coverage during the Gaza war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet vote came after Israel’s parliament passed a law allowing the temporary closure in Israel of foreign broadcasters considered to be a threat to national security.

Netanyahu announced the decision on his X handle(formerly Twitter) that: “The government headed by me unanimously decided: the incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” he posted in Hebrew.

The details on the implications of the step on the channel, when it would go into effect or whether it was permanent or temporary shuttered were not immediately clear.

The decision escalates Israel’s long-running feud against Al Jazeera.

It also threatens to heighten tensions with Qatar, which funds the media network, at a time when Doha is playing a key role in mediation efforts to halt the war in Gaza.

Israel has long had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias against it and collaborating with Hamas.

The Qatar-based network has repeatedly rejected the accusations.