Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is renewing efforts to close down Al Jazeera in Israel. He is calling for legislation in the Knesset that would allow senior ministers to shut down foreign news networks deemed a security risk. Netanyahu has long sought to shutter broadcasts from the Qatari-based media outlet and has promised to “immediately act to close Al Jazeera” following the law’s adoption. The bill, which would give the prime minister and the communications minister the authority to order the closure of foreign networks operating in Israel, has passed in a first reading in February. Likud officials are working to ensure that the Knesset passes a second and third reading of the legislation. This push comes as Netanyahu faces protests against his handling of Israel’s war with Hamas. The legislation’s return to the Israeli parliament comes nearly five months after Israel said it would block Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen. With the start of the war in October, Israel’s government had passed wartime regulations allowing it to temporarily close foreign media deemed a threat to its national interests. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused Al Jazeera of pro-Hamas bias and incitement against Israel. Israel has often lashed out at Al Jazeera, which has offices in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. In May 2022, Israeli forces shot dead senior Al Jazeera…
Long campaign
Source from www.aljazeera.com
