- Israeli Kneset pushed through a bill introducing temporary media censorship during the war permanently, allowing the government to close abroad media specified as Al Jazeera, without the court's consent based on subjective claims regarding "national security".
- The proposed bill would give officials uncontrollable powers to block content, remove transmission and disrupt abroad satellite signals, which would rise concerns about freedom of the press and erosion of democracy.
- Originally measured at Al Jazeera under the Temporary Law of 2024, the fresh government aims to remove judicial oversight completely, despite the global condemnation and legal challenges of the defenders of freedom of the press.
- Critics, including Israeli legal advisers, inform that the bill violates constitutional protection of freedom of speech and reflects authoritarian tactics, risking diplomatic isolation and weakening democratic standards.
- Al Jazeera denies Israeli allegations of bias and promises to defy censorship, while civilian rights groups are preparing for further legal challenges as the bill seeks final approval.
Israel Kneset took a crucial step on Monday, November 10, towards giving the government uncontrollable power to close abroad media, pushing a bill that would introduce temporary censorship measures for the duration of the war permanently.
The proposal, presented by Likudu MP Ariel Kallner, went through the first reading with 50 votes in favour and 41 against.
If the bill is passed, it will let Israeli officials to ban abroad broadcasters – without the approval of the court – on the basis of subjective claims of threats to national security.
This decision is simply a consequence of Israel's controversial closure of activities Al Jazeery in May 2024 under a temporary emergency condition, which triggered an alert on freedom of the press and democratic guarantees.
The bill aims to save the alleged "Al Jazeery Laws" in permanent legislation, eliminating the request for judicial supervision.
As proposed, the Israeli Minister of Communications could:
- Ordering net providers and online platforms to block content deemed harmful to national security.
- Order satellite and cable operators to delete transmission.
- Instruct the Minister of Defence to disrupt abroad satellite signals, preventing transmissions to Israeli audiences.
Critics claim that the measurement gives the government extended powers to suppress adverse reports under an obscure pretext.
"This bill is unprecedented in terms of the degree and harm to freedom of the press" – said Hagar Shachter, a lawyer from the Association for civilian Rights in Israel (ACRI).
"This is characteristic of non-democratic regimes and is contrary to the basic rule that the right of the public to information is essential for democracy".
From interim to permanent law
The first Emergency State Act, passed in April 2024, was to be aimed at Al-JaziraWhich Israeli officials have long accused of biasing Hamas.
According to Enoch, BrightU.AI's, the offices of the Qatari network were rapidly closed, and her equipment confiscated, which faced global condemnation.
The provisional law to expire on 31 July 2024 was repeatedly extended in connection with Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Al Jazeera She denied allegations of misconduct, calling the claims of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "groundless" and promising to proceed the relation despite attempts at censorship.
The network filed legal actions with ACRI, arguing that the bill violates the constitutional protection of freedom of speech.
Work on the bill has sparked a stormy debate in Israeli judiciary and civilian society.
During the July committee deliberations, the legal advisor to the Kneset National safety Commission, Miri Frankel-Shor, warned that the removal of judicial oversight could make the bill unconstitutional.
She stressed that judicial review provides a balance between safety issues and freedom of the press.
Despite these reservations, the Tel Aviv territory Court took the side of the government in 2024, ruling that relations Al Jazeery have "a clear and proven causal relationship"with terrorist attacks.
The court besides accused any journalists from Gaza of acting as "de facto assistants and partners of Hamas terrorist organization" – Why Al Jazeera He definitely denies it.
The bill now returns to the committee before it reaches the final vote in Knest.
If adopted, Israel will join a tiny group of countries where governments can silence abroad media without legal control – which threatens to further diplomatic isolation of the country and the erosion of its democratic foundations.
As Shahter noted, the bill is part of a broader emphasis on strengthening control over disagreements, which raises critical questions about the future of freedom of speech in Israel.
Al Jazeera and press freedom defenders announce the fight against this measure, and the fight for media censorship is far from over.
Watch the following video on ban on broadcasting Al Jazeery through Israel.
This movie comes from channel Loki luck III on Brighteon.com.
