Israel becomes next in line to oust Al Jazeera

SBS World News Radio: The Israeli government says it plans to ban journalists from Al Jazeera television and close the network's office in Jerusalem.

Israel becomes next in line to oust Al JazeeraIsrael becomes next in line to oust Al Jazeera

Israel becomes next in line to oust Al Jazeera

Israel has moved to revoke the media credentials of Al Jazeera's television journalists working in the country.

Communications minister Ayoub Kara says he will ask the Government Press Office to cancel their credentials.

He has told a press conference -- that excluded Al Jazeera journalists from attending -- the move is intended to "bolster security."

"We have identified media outlets that do not serve freedom of speech but endanger the security of Israel's citizens, and the main instrument has been Al Jazeera, which actually caused us to lose the best of our sons."

Al Jazeera's Israeli offices will also be shut down in a move that targets both its Arabic and English channels.

A staff of about 30 people is based in the country.

Mr Kara says cable and satellite companies will also be told to black out the network's broadcasts.

"In order to bolster the security of Israel's citizens and in order to bring a situation that channels will report objectively ... We have no problem -- we have other channels from various countries which we have no problem with -- let them continue reporting everything. But a media which has been deemed to be a supporter of terror by almost all Arab countries, and we know this for certain, we will take a few steps against it to express our fight against terrorism and radical Islam and our empathy with the sane Arab world."

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially promised the ban in July, accusing Al Jazeera of inciting violence in Jerusalem.

That accusation included the network's coverage of unrest around the Al Aqsa Mosque, an Old City site holy to both Muslims and Jews.

But Al Jazeera English managing director Giles Trendle says Israel's claims are unsubstantiated.

"There are many accusations made against Al Jazeera. And I think all of those accusations are a bit of a red herring. In the end, it's about us providing fair and frank coverage. We're not partisan to a particular group, ideology or government. We provide a diversity of different viewpoints and perspectives. And, I think that's a problem for some people in the region."

Israel joins a growing list of Middle Eastern and African nations to ban the broadcaster.

Al Jazeera and its affiliate sites are also blocked in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain.

Jordan and Saudi Arabia have closed its local offices there.

But journalism-advocacy groups have condemned the latest move from Israel, calling it undemocratic.

Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, says he agrees.

"This is certainly a mistaken impression of what Al Jazeera and the Middle East is like. What is not mistaken is the cynicism that we're seeing emerging when Israel takes its cues from its enemies in the Arab world, the Arab monarchs and dictators that have become its new friends, because they have this unholy alliance against freedom, justice and human rights in the Arab world and they're preparing for some sort of a new showdown against Iran -- military showdown, I must add -- which probably will destroy whatever is left of the Middle East region."

 






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