• A bill has been approved by Israeli legislators which paves the way for a ban on Al Jazeera and other news outlets that are deemed a “security threat”.
• Netanyahu has vowed to “act immediately” and “stop the channel’s activity”.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to take action against Al Jazeera’s operations in the country following the approval of a new law by the Israeli parliament. The law grants senior ministers the authority to shut down foreign news networks deemed to pose a “security risk”. Netanyahu’s assertion that Al Jazeera has jeopardised Israel’s security and allegedly played a role in inciting violence has sparked a heated exchange between the government and the Qatar-based network.
In a strongly worded statement, Netanyahu accused Al Jazeera of harming Israel’s security, particularly alleging their involvement in the October 7 massacre and incitement against Israeli soldiers. He declared his intention to utilise the new law to halt the network’s activities in Israel promptly. Al Jazeera swiftly dismissed these accusations as “slanderous” and denounced Netanyahu’s remarks as incitement, holding him responsible for the safety of its staff and premises worldwide.
Al Jazeera’s defiance shows its commitment to continue its on-the-ground coverage despite facing legal challenges. Netanyahu’s longstanding campaign against the network, alleging anti-Israel bias, has culminated in this legislative move. The new law means that foreign networks can be essentially silenced in Israel if they are deemed to pose a threat to national security. This is a clear contradiction to the values of the west who constantly boast to the world about how they protect free speech and freedom of press.
The White House has expressed concerns over Israel’s potential move to shut down Al Jazeera, emphasizing the importance of press freedom and the critical role of journalists, especially in conflict zones like Gaza. Meanwhile, media freedom watchdogs have raised alarms about the chilling effect of the new law on international media, citing a trend of hostility towards the press, particularly since the outbreak of Israel’s genocide on Gaza. The legislation’s passage comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Al Jazeera. Past confrontations have resulted in casualties among the network’s journalists, further exacerbating the strained relationship. Al Jazeera’s presence in the occupied territories has come under fire from Israeli authorities, who accuse the network of biased reporting.
The assertion of Israel as the sole democratic state in the Middle East, which is what the majority of western pro-Israeli commentators claim, stands in stark contrast with its persistent suppression of press freedom, exemplified by this attempt to silence outlets like Al Jazeera. Despite its democratic facade, Israel has faced criticism for curbing journalistic liberties, undermining its claim to uphold democratic values. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to consolidate power extend beyond media censorship, as evidenced by his recent attempts to diminish the authority of the Israeli Supreme Court. Such actions raise concerns about the erosion of democratic principles within Israel, highlighting a troubling trend of executive overreach and disregard for institutional checks and balances. These manoeuvres highlight the hypocrisy inherent in Israel’s claim to democratic leadership while simultaneously stifling dissent and undermining the pillars of democratic governance.
The defence of freedom of speech and democratic values has long been touted as a cornerstone of western societies, often framed as intrinsic to their identity. However, the selective application of these principles, particularly concerning the treatment of press freedom in Israel, raises significant questions of hypocrisy. While Western nations champion free speech and condemn violations of democratic norms elsewhere, they often turn a blind eye to similar transgressions committed by Israel. This double standard not only undermines the credibility of the West’s professed values but also perpetuates a sense of impunity for Israel, allowing it to flout even the standards upheld by its western allies. The apparent free pass granted to Israel, despite its disregard for fundamental democratic principles, further highlights the troubling inconsistencies in the global defence of human rights and democracy.
While freedom of speech and press is championed as a fundamental right in western democratic societies, its defence of these values appears selective, as with many things, when it comes to Israel.
