JERUSALEM – Israeli police raided a Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera as its de facto office on May 5 following a government decision to shut down the Qatari-owned TV station’s local operations, an Israeli official and an Al Jazeera source told Reuters.
Video circulated online showed plain clothes officers dismantling camera equipment in a hotel room. The Al Jazeera source said the hotel was in East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet shut down the network for as long as the war in Gaza continues, on grounds that the Qatari television network threatens national security.
Al Jazeera called the move a “criminal action” and rejected the accusation the network threatened Israeli security as a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that puts its journalists at risk.
It said that it reserved the right to “pursue every legal step”.
The network has been critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, from where it has reported round the clock throughout the war.
“The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” Mr Netanyahu posted on social media following the unanimous Cabinet vote.
A government statement said Israel’s communications minister signed orders to “act immediately”, but at least one lawmaker who supported the closure said Al Jazeera could still try to block it in court.
Additionally, the Israeli government faces scrutiny over its handling of the situation. Consequently, the Israeli Police Raid underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and fundamental rights.
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