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Israeli court approves temporary ban on Al Jazeera

2024-06-05 14:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Israeli court on Wednesday upheld the government's decision for a 35-day ban, for reasons of national security, on the operation of the Al Jazeera television broadcaster.

An Israeli government minister said he hoped the ban would be extended for another 45 days when it ends on Saturday.

In the ruling, the court retroactively approved a 35-day ban until June 8.

Israeli authorities raided a Jerusalem hotel room used as an office by Al Jazeera on May 5 and said they were shutting down the operation for the duration of the war in Gaza, accusing the broadcaster of encouraging hostilities against Israel.

Al Jazeera rejected the allegations, which it called a "dangerous and ridiculous lie" that put its journalists at risk.

Tel Aviv District Court Judge Shai Yaniv said he had been provided with evidence, which he did not specify, of a long and close relationship between Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - and Qatari-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera, accusing the channel of promoting the radical group's aims.

"Freedom of expression is of particular importance in times of war. However, when there is significant harm to the security of the state, the last consideration comes first," he wrote.

Al Jazeera, which has been critical of Israel's military operations in Gaza, from where it has reported throughout the war, told the court that it did not incite violence or terrorism and that the ban was disproportionate, according to court documents.

Regarding claims of ties to Hamas, she said her reporters had confidential sources on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year, killing over 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.

After this attack, the war started in the Gaza Strip - controlled by Hamas.

Dozens of hostages taken by the group were released during a ceasefire in November, while several others were found - dead or alive - by Israeli troops.

Al Jazeera is one of the few international media outlets reporting from Gaza since the start of the war.

The Arabic-language programs of this media often also publish statements from Hamas and other militant groups in the region.

The broadcaster has accused Israel of deliberately killing several of its journalists in Gaza.

Israel says it does not target journalists.

Israeli satellite and cable providers suspended Al Jazeera broadcasts following government guidance on May 5.

The Minister for Communications said on Wednesday that he intended to extend the ban for another 45 days.

The United Nations human rights office and the United States have criticized the closure of Al Jazeera's operation in Israel. /REL