Israel - May 2024

On 5 May, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi ordered the closure of Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel for a renewable, 45-day period. On the same day, Israeli authorities shut down Al Jazeera’s local offices, confiscated broadcast equipment, blocked its websites and cut its channel from cable and satellite companies. The order was made using a new law passed in April 2024, which empowers the Communications Minister to close foreign media outlets, where – as is alleged with regards to Al Jazeera – they are deemed a threat to international security. The law was also used against another international outlet, the Associated Press, which reported having its broadcasting equipment confiscated and its live video of Gaza blocked after the Israeli government accused it of providing images to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera remains one of the few international media outlets reporting from Gaza during the war.

Sources: Article 19, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Times of Israel, Euro-Med Rights, International IDEA, Associated Press (1), Associated Press (2)