Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the law’s passing, saying that “Al Jazeera has harmed Israel’s security, actively participated in the October 7 massacre, and incited against IDF soldiers. It’s time to remove Hamas’ mouthpiece from our country.”
He added: “The terrorist channel Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel. I intend to take immediate action in accordance with the new law to halt the channel’s activities.”
The bill received support from 71 lawmakers, while 10 opposed it.
The law allows the communications minister, with the prime minister’s consent, to order the cessation of broadcasts of a foreign channel broadcasting in Israel if the prime minister is convinced that its content directly threatens the country’s security. The law states that the decision requires approval from the security cabinet or the government.
So basically an end to press freedon, with cross-party support. Yikes.
Religion.
Colonialism.
Fun fact: colonial-era “sedition” laws still form the foundation of authoritarian, anti-press freedom measures in some former colonies today e.g. Rwanda, Pakistan, Malaysia.
Ah yes, typical move for “the only democracy in the Middle East”
You realize that Netenyahu and his fascist Likud party are the ones responsible for eliminating democracy in Israel?
71 out of a total of 120 MKs voted for this, 10 opposed it. This is more than just Bibi.
Oh yeah, its his party, he’s just the face.
It’s the offshoot of the same party that led Albert Einstein to distance himself from the concept of Israel back in the late 1940s.Also, allegedly that most of the reason Hamas got to execute their October 7th plot in the first place was that Bibi had all of those soldiers off intimidating the judges that were overseeing his multiple criminal trials
Likud has 32 MKs at the moment. So that’sess than half of the votes for the bill.
Yes, fascism is widespread in Israel
A democracy where voters are only allowed access to news sources that the government approves of. Israel having another totally, very normal day.
If it makes you feel any better, Israel officially hasn’t been a democracy since 2018.
It’s entirely possible Al Jazeera has an agenda. Arguably probable, given that NYT, WaPo, the BBC and any other “well respected” outlet each has agendas.
The missing bit here is what the alleged relevant agenda is. Proof that Al Jazeera has ulterior motives deleterious to Israel’s interests would go a long way toward making this feel less icky, but that’s apparently a bridge too far for a propaganda claim.
This is a “did you she what she was wearing” level of proof.
Yes, their agenda is to show people what is happening? All press have an agenda.
This is analogous to what might happen in the States if Trump is reelected.
Kinda but unlikely. The US has a constitutional clause against this sort of thing. It would be more difficult to circumvent.
…however, if it goes to this Supreme Court, all bets are off.
I think that’s a bit naive.
The constitution is advice. It’s only as powerful as its interpretation and enforcement, and the Supreme Court has shown themselves wildly comfortable writing new flagrantly unconstitutional loopholes when it suits them.
Gotta fear the ole “freedom of speech” ✅
also in Israel news today is this–the probable shutting down of Al Jazeera’s operations there. Netanyahu says he’ll act swiftly to request the outlet be banned under this new law
This dude gives me the same vibes as Mojo Jojo in that episode of The Powerpuff Girls, where he’s protected by a bunch of dumb hippies.
“Not so fast, Mojo Jojo!”
“Help, I’m being oppressed!”
“Not so fast, Powerpuff Girls!”Hasnt he murdered all if their journalists yet?
i want to laugh and cry at the same time…
