An Israeli court on Wednesday upheld a 35-day ban on Al Jazeera operations in Israel imposed by the government on national security grounds. One of the ministers said he hopes to extend the ban for another 45 days when it ends on Saturday.
Israeli authorities raided a Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera as an office on May 5 and said they would shut down the operation during the Gaza war, accusing the broadcaster of encouraging hostilities against Israel.
Al Jazeera rejected the allegations as a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that put its journalists at risk.
Wednesday’s court ruling retroactively approved a 35-day ban until June 8.
Tel Aviv District Court judge Shai Yaniv said he had received evidence, which he did not specify, of a close and long-standing relationship between the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and the Qatar-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera, accusing the channel of promoting Hamas’ objectives.
“Freedom of expression has special importance in times of war. However, when there is significant harm to state security, this last consideration comes first,” he wrote.
Al Jazeera, which has criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, where it reported during the war, told the court it did not incite violence or terrorism and that the ban was disproportionate, according to court documents.
Regarding the allegation of ties to Hamas, he said that his journalists had a wide range of confidential sources, both on the Israeli and Palestinian sides.
The channel accused Israel of deliberately killing several of its journalists in Gaza. Israel says it does not target journalists.
Israeli satellite and cable television providers suspended Al Jazeera broadcasts following government instructions on May 5. The communications minister said on Wednesday that he intended to extend the ban for another 45 days.
The United Nations human rights office and the United States criticized the closure of Al Jazeera’s operation in Israel.
Qatar, where several Hamas political leaders are based, is trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that could end the war in Gaza.
Source: CNN Brasil
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