Al Jazeera bureau chief calls Israeli closure political, says there will be legal response

Record ID: 1816132

  • Title: Al Jazeera bureau chief calls Israeli closure political, says there will be legal response
  • Date: 5th May 2024
  • Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (MAY 5, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AL JAZEERA OFFICE BUILDING ENTRANCE TO AL JAZEERA OFFICES AL JAZEERA LOGO ON DOOR JOURNALISTS WORKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AL JAZEERA'S BUREAU CHIEF IN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, WALID OMARI, SAYING: “This is very dangerous decision against Al Jazeera and against the international media at all because at
  • Embargoed: 19th May 2024 14:03
  • Keywords: Al Jazeera Benjamin Netanyahu Israel journalists news agency shut down war
  • Location: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK/ JERUSALEM
  • City: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK/ JERUSALEM
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA003015005052024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The head of Al Jazeera in Israel and the Palestinian territories described an Israeli government decision on Sunday (May 5) to shutter the Qatari-owned station's local operations as "dangerous" and motivated by politics rather than professional considerations.
    Al Jazeera's legal team was preparing a response, Walid Omary told Reuters, in a possible anticipation of a court appeal against the decision.
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet decided on Sunday to shut down Al Jazeera's operations in Israel for as long as the war in Gaza continues, on the grounds the Qatari television network threatens national security.
    The network is funded by the Qatari government and has been critical of Israel's military operation in Gaza, from where it has reported around the clock throughout the war.
    The measure, a government statement said, will include closing Al Jazeera's offices in Israel, confiscating broadcast equipment, cutting off the channel from cable and satellite companies and blocking its websites. It did not mention Al Jazeera's Gaza operations.
    Israeli satellite and cable television providers suspended broadcasts of Al Jazeera.
    (Production: Mohammed Torokman, Nina Lopez)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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