Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Al Jazeera of participating in the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Accusing the channel of harming Israeli security, he vowed to close its operations in the country.
Israel passes law to empower government
On Monday, the Knesset, the unicameral legislature of Israel, passed legislation allowing the government to shut down foreign news networks.
Netanyahu, on his official handle, wrote, “The terror channel Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel.”
“I intend to act immediately in accordance with the new law to stop the channel’s activity,” he added.
All lies: Al Jazeera
Condemning Israel’s action, Al Jazeera released a statement terming Netanyahu’s recent remarks as “nothing but a dangerous ludicrous lie.”
“Netanyahu could not find any justification to offer the world for his ongoing attacks on Al Jazeera and Press Freedom except to present new lies and inflammatory slanders against the false accusation in a disgraceful manner,” the statement read.
Holding Netanyahu fully responsible for the safety of its staff and members, Al Jazeera accused Israel of systematic attacks in order to silence the news network.
“The deliberate targeting of a number of Al Jazeera journalists and their family members, and the arrest and intimidation of its correspondents in the field, Al Jazeera reiterates that such slanderous accusations will not deter us from continuing our bold and professional coverage, and reserve the right to pursue every legal step,” the statement read.
Although Israel is taking action against Al Jazeera, the recently enacted law empowers its government to ban any foreign news network deemed a ‘security risk.’
Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu in Jerusalem
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and more attempts to release captives held in Gaza.
After demonstrating in front of the Israeli parliament on Sunday night, where they lit fires and waved flags, protesters closed a major municipal route.
Netanyahu has been under increasing pressure as opponents of his right-wing government have united with the families of the roughly one hundred hostages that Hamas in Gaza still holds.
On October 7, Hamas took approximately 250 prisoners, of whom Israel estimates that 130 are still in Gaza, 33 of whom are thought to be dead.
