The Israeli Knesset approved in the second and third readings the extension of the updated emergency law, known as the 'Island Law', for two years and its conversion into a permanent law without linking it to the existence of an emergency situation as it was when it was enacted as a temporary order in April 2024, and pursuant to it, the office of the network was closed and its operations were banned in Jerusalem and Israel on May 5, 2024.
The law grants Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi the authority to extend the closure of offices until the end of 2027 and allows him and the Prime Minister to decide to close foreign channels and seize their equipment if they are considered to pose a threat to national security at any time without there being an emergency situation like war and without a judicial decision from the court.
22 Knesset members voted in favor of the law, while 10 opposed it, including 9 Arab MKs.
The law grants the Communications Minister the authority to extend the closure of Al Jazeera offices until the end of 2027 and allows him and the Prime Minister to decide to close foreign channels.
שתף את דעתך
Knesset Approves Extension of 'Al Jazeera Law' for Two Years and Its Conversion to Permanent Law