Israel Shuts Down Al Jazeera Offices

Photo bySteven Zimmerman

Before we share the press release issued by Al Jazeera concerning the closure of their offices by the government of Israel, we wanted to give our statement.

We condemn any government that shutters and bans any newsgroup or organization. Al Jazeera is a media outlet that, if we like it or not, is part of the public square that is new. Al Jazeera provides a voice for those we would otherwise never hear from.

The Government of Israel is now following the tactics of other regimes throughout history, who sought to close the free exchange of news and ideas by banning those papers and reporters they disagree with.

We call on all freethinking individuals, regardless of faith or political persuasion, to call upon Israel to retract this ban.

The following is from Al Jazeera:

In a deceptive and slanderous move, the Israeli Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unanimously voted to shut down Al Jazeera's offices in Israel. They also chose to withdraw crew accreditations, as well as banning media service providers from transmitting its broadcasts and blocking Al Jazeera Media Network websites.

Ironically as the world marked World Press Freedom Day; the Israeli government closed Al Jazeera’s offices, preventing the public from accessing its content, disregarding the universally recognised fundamentals of freedom of expression.

Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access of information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences.

Israel's ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law. Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.

The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics.

Al Jazeera urges all media freedom, human rights, and other concerned organisations, to condemn the repeated attacks on journalists and the press by Israel, and to hold those responsible to account. The Network will pursue all available legal channels through international legal institutions in its quest to protect both its rights and journalists, as well as the public's right to information.