Israel Should Immediately Overturn Its Decision to Close Down Al Jazeera – JSI

Israel Should Immediately Overturn Its Decision to Close Down Al Jazeera – JSI

JSI is alarmed by the Israeli government’s extreme decision to close down Al Jazeera’s local operations. This may not be the ultimate price Qatar’s Al Jazeera satellite news network would have to pay, given that several brave journalists from the news organization have been killed or maimed on the frontline while reporting about the excesses, heavy-handed and extrajudicial killings of Palestinians by the Israeli occupational forces.

According to sources, the Israeli government has also confiscated some equipment of the media outlet and blocked its website. Haven celebrated World Press Freedom Day just a couple of days ago Journalists Sanctuary International finds this decision by the Israeli government to be unfortunate. This without a doubt sets a dangerous precedent in a world that has for the last couple of years been hostile towards journalists and media organizations across the world.

This directive is believed to be the first time Israel has ever shuttered a foreign news outlet. If not reversed, this order will deny millions the opportunity to get informed about the Israeli-Hamas war given the fact that Al Jazeera has covered the conflict nonstop and has maintained 24-hour coverage in the Gaza Strip amid Israel’s attack.

We understand Aljazeera went off Israel’s main cable and satellite providers hours after the order. However, we at Journalists Sanctuary International call on the Israeli government as a matter of urgency and in upholding the principles of the rule of law and democracy, to overturn this dangerous precedent and give unfettered access to Aljazeera and all other news organizations to report without fear.

We are encouraged by Al Jazeera’s readiness to “pursue all available legal channels through international legal institutions in its quest to protect both its rights and journalists, as well as the public’s right to information.”

The news organization has our support in that regard.