Israel’s security cabinet has approved emergency measures allowing the blocking of Hezbollah-affiliated media outlet Al-Mayadeen and Qatari state-owned Al Jazeera, which the government deems as “harmful to the State of Israel.”
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s measures were approved in the cabinet after receiving the green light from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and defense establishment officials.
As per the emergency measures, the Communications Ministry can now order to close foreign news organization’s offices in Israel, as well as confiscate equipment and block its access to broadcast infrastructures.
Karhi moved swiftly to sign an emergency order against Al-Mayadeen.
Israeli minister: Al-Mayadeen’s fate is to be blocked
“Israel is fighting from the air, land, and sea, in the cybersphere, the electromagnetic spectrum and in their minds,” Karhi said after the measures were approved. Al-Mayadeen’s broadcasts are affiliated with the enemy and damaging Israel’s security, Karhi claimed, saying “its fate is to be blocked.
“Al-Mayadeen and its reporters serve the heinous terror groups, it is time to settle a score with them,” Karhi added.
Gallant said on Monday that the State of Israel “would no longer allow to air the dangerous propaganda shown on Al-Mayadeen. I have recommended to act against the organization and bring it to justice, both criminally and fiscally.”
In accordance with the emergency regulations approved by the government, the Israeli political and security cabinet agreed to take measures against #AlMayadeen Media Network.As per the emergency regulations, the Minister of Communications has the right to order the closure of… pic.twitter.com/iKmTCODmp7
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 13, 2023
Al Jazeera shutdown back on the government’s agenda?
Karhi has pushed for emergency measures to shut down the local bureau of Al Jazeera, which the communications minister called a “propaganda mouthpiece” for Hamas.
Even after the government approved emergency regulations that would have allowed for Al Jazeera to be shut down, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly refused to bring up the issue for a vote in the cabinet earlier this month.
Comments are closed.