Israel Government to shut down operations of Qatari outlet in Israel after repeatedly criticising its coverage

Israel is set to ban Al Jazeera from reporting in the country after the attorney general approved the move.

According to Israeli media, attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi reached an agreement on Tuesday on the wording of emergency regulations to stop the Qatari outlet from operating.

The Israeli government has repeatedly criticised Al Jazeera’s coverage of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera is one of the few global media channels that has a physical presence in Gaza and Israel. 

Israel has barred anyone from leaving or entering Gaza, which it has put under complete siege, cutting off water, electricity and food.

International coverage of the Israeli bombardment, therefore, has fallen to media organisations already on the ground, such as Al Jazeera. 

The Qatari TV channel has had a difficult relationship with Israel, most recently over the May 2022 killing of veteran Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh. 

Israel repeatedly denied that its soldiers had shot the reporter, with various investigations proving their claims incorrect.