White House Calls Out Netanyahu’s Efforts to Shut Down Al Jazeera
New law grants Israeli prime minister sweeping new powers
The war of words between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took on a new dimension, with the White House criticizing moves by the Israeli government to shut down a prominent news organization in the Middle East.
Netanyahu, facing backlash abroad and at home, has lashed out at Al Jazeera, which has produced dogged, on the ground reporting of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Israeli lawmakers approved a sweeping law Monday, allowing the government to ban foreign networks perceived as posing a threat to national security.
Netanyahu said he intended “to act immediately in accordance with the new law” to stop the Qatari-based news outlet’s activity in the country.
The new law gives the prime minister and communications minister authority to order the temporary closure of foreign networks operating in Israel — powers that rights groups say could have far-reaching implications on international media coverage of the war in Gaza.
Its approval as Netanyahu faces mounting public pressure – and large public protests – over his handling of operations in Gaza, where nearly 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of young children and women.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the Israeli attack on the press Monday, during the regular White House press briefing.
“We believe in the freedom of the press. It is critical. It is critically important. And the United States supports the critically important work journalists around the world do,” she said. “And that includes those who are reporting in the conflict in Gaza. So, we believe that work is important, the freedom of the press is important. And if those reports are true, it is concerning to us.”
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