Israel’s government has moved to close down the operations of the Al Jazeera media network in Israel, describing it as a ‘mouthpiece for Hamas’.

Israeli police raided the Qatari broadcaster’s office in Jerusalem on Sunday, removing essential equipment and locking the premises, according to Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.

The channel is no longer be available on Israel’s two biggest TV providers, Yes and Hot. The National Unity alliance in Israel says pulling the channel off air may be poor timing for ongoing hostage negotiations.

Much of the international press and human rights associations have responded with grave concern. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) said the shutting down Al Jazeera in the Israel should be ‘a cause for concern for all supporters of a free press.’

The Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) said, “The Israeli cabinet must allow Al Jazeera and all international media outlets to operate freely in Israel, especially during wartime.” 

The UN’s Human Rights office said, ‘A free & independent media is essential to ensuring transparency & accountability. Now, even more so given tight restrictions on reporting from Gaza.’

Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has frequently voiced criticism of Al Jazeera’s alleged biased coverage of the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza.

The Israeli parliament passed a law giving the government power to temporarily shut down foreign broadcasters considered a threat to national security – Netanyahu said the closure of Al Jazeera is temporary while the war in Gaza is active.

Qatar, where Al Jazeera is based, has been a key mediator in diplomatic talks between Israel and Hamas, previously helping to broker a temporary ceasefire in November that led to the release of 105 Israeli hostages, with more than a 130 thought to remain in Gaza.

Al Jazeera has accused Israel of deliberately targeting its journalists, and said, ‘Israel’s suppression of free press to cover up its crimes by killing and arresting journalists has not deterred us from performing our duty.’