US EditionIsrael Extends Order Allowing Closure of Foreign Broadcasters
Israel's parliament extended powers to close foreign broadcasters for two years without court orders, citing national security; the law was first used against Al Jazeera in 2024.
- On Dec 23, Israel's Knesset extended a law allowing the government of Israel to ban foreign media outlets deemed harmful to state security and cease their operations for two years.
- Known as the 'Al Jazeera Law,' it was introduced during the Gaza war after Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack and became widely known after May 2024 shutdowns.
- Supporters said the changes remove judicial oversight as the bill passed 22-10, empowering ministers to shut outlets, seize equipment, and block websites without court approval.
- Hours after a cabinet vote, the plan to close Army Radio was approved and the Union of Journalists and Journalists' Organisations, ACRI, and IDI vowed legal challenges citing threats to press freedom.
- The amendment extends powers until Dec 31, 2027, allowing restrictions without emergency, while rights groups cite Israel's drop to 112th in press freedom and more than 200 Palestinian journalists killed.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Adopted in April 2024, the legislation mainly targeted the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera, described by the authorities as Hamas' "propaganda organ".
Israel extends law to silence Al Jazeera for two more years
Israel's Knesset has approved an extension of legislation allowing the government to shut down foreign media outlets for an additional two years, a move widely understood to be aimed at Al Jazeera. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the bill was approved in its second and third readings, replacing temporary emergency legislation passed in April 2024 and setting the measure on course to become permanent. Under the revised legislation, court a…
Knesset extends Al Jazeera ban for two more years
The order allows the closure of foreign media that harm state security. By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News The Knesset on Monday extended by two years the temporary order known as the Al Jazeera law, which allows the state to shut down hostile foreign broadcasting organizations operating in Israel. The law grants the communications minister — with the approval of the prime minister and defense minister — the authority to act against foreign m…
Israel extends order allowing closure of foreign media - even without state of emergency
The bill replaces temporary emergency legislation, which was originally passed to authorize the shutdown of the Qatar-based network in Israel. The new law does not require court approval to close a media outlet
The Israeli Parliament approved on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) the extension of a law that allows the government to prohibit the activities of foreign media outlets that "threaten the national security" of the country. The measure was approved in April 2024 during the war in the Gaza Strip. At the time, it primarily targeted the Qatari news channel Al Jazeera. The Israeli government used the legislation to close the channel's offices and ban its…
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