Israel has shut down all operations in the country of the Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera.
It follows cabinet approval for a new law that gives government the power to halt any international relay over local cable, satellite and IPTV networks, bar access to its website, close local offices and confiscate any equipment.
The cabinet is said to have approved the order unanimously.
Hours after the order, Al Jazeera went dark on Israel’s main cable and satellite platforms, though its website and streaming services initially remained operational.
“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences,” the network said in a statement on Sunday.
“Israel’s ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.”
Al Jazeera has been one of the few broadcasters to remain in Gaza during the war, sparked by the attacks on Israel on September 13.
While the broadcaster has accused Israel of massacres and war crimes, Israel has accused it of collaborating with Hamas.
