The Israeli parliament has approved a law that grants senior ministers the power to shut down foreign news networks deemed a security risk.
The law, which passed in a 71-10 vote in the Knesset, gives the prime minister and the communications minister the authority to order the closure of foreign networks operating in Israel and confiscate their equipment if it is believed they pose what the Knesset calls, harm to the state’s security.
In a post on X after the law was approved in its final readings on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he will act immediately on the new law. He also says Al Jazeera will no longer be broadcast from Israel.
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Reacting to the Israeli Prime Minister’s comments, the White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, says an Israeli move to shut down Al Jazeera would be, in her own words, concerning.
She added that Washington believes in the freedom of the press, which she says is critically important, and the United States supports the critically important work journalists around the world, including those who are reporting on the conflict in Gaza, are doing.
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