(Reuters) – Israeli officials raided a hotel room in Jerusalem used by Al Jazeera as its office after the government decided to close the Qatari-owned TV station's local operations on Sunday, according to an Israeli official and an Al Jazeera source who spoke to Reuters.
A video circulated online showed undercover officers taking apart camera equipment in a hotel room, which the Al Jazeera source said was in East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet closed the network for as long as the conflict in Gaza continues, stating that it
threatened the country's security.
Al Jazeera denounced the move as a “criminal action”, calling the accusation that the network threatened Israeli security a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that put its journalists at risk.
It declared its intention to “pursue every legal step”.
The network has criticized Israel’s military operation in Gaza, where it has reported throughout the war.
“The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” Netanyahu posted on social media following a unanimous
cabinet vote.
A government statement said Israel’s communications minister issued orders to take action immediately, but at least one lawmaker who supported the closure said Al Jazeera could still attempt to block it in court.
The statement said the measure includes shutting down Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel, seizing broadcast equipment, disrupting the channel's access to cable and satellite companies, and restricting its websites. It did not mention Al Jazeera’s Gaza operations.
Israeli satellite and cable television providers halted Al Jazeera broadcasts following the government decision.
There was no official response from the Qatari government, which referred to Al Jazeera.
The network last month complained about “a series of systematic Israeli attacks to silence Al Jazeera”.
It stated that Israel deliberately targeted and killed several of its journalists, including Samer Abu Daqqa and Hamza AlDahdooh, both killed in Gaza during the conflict. Israel has stated it does not target journalists.
Qatar established Al Jazeera in 1996 with the aim of enhancing its global standing.
“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and rejects this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information,” the network said in a statement. “Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide
news and information to its global audiences.”
The UN Human Rights Office also condemned the closure.
“We regret cabinet decision to close Al Jazeera in Israel,” it said on X. “A free & independent media is essential to ensuring transparency & accountability. Now, even more so given tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza. Freedom of expression is a key human right. We urge govt to overturn ban.”
Israel’s parliament last month approved a law allowing the temporary closure in Israel of foreign broadcasters deemed to be a threat to national security.
The law permits Netanyahu and his security cabinet to shut the network’s offices in Israel for 45 days, a period that can be extended, so it could remain in effect until the end of July or until the conclusion of major military operations in Gaza.
Qatar, where many Hamas political leaders are located, is attempting to help make a peace agreement and free hostages to stop the Gaza war.
