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Israel approves bill to shut foreign media without court approval
(MENAFN) The Israeli Knesset on Monday approved in a preliminary reading a bill that would authorize the government to close foreign media outlets without requiring prior judicial approval.
According to an Israeli news, the proposal seeks to make permanent the so-called “Al Jazeera Law,” a temporary measure that currently allows Israel to block foreign media operations for limited periods.
“The temporary measure has expired, and therefore, the new law must be passed quickly,” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said during a Knesset plenary session.
The bill, sponsored by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner, passed its first vote with 50 in favor and 41 against, out of 120 Knesset members. It must still pass three additional readings before becoming law.
If enacted, the legislation would empower the government to permanently shut down foreign media outlets, even outside periods of war or national emergency.
In April 2024, the Knesset approved a similar law enabling the prime minister and communications minister to ban foreign media considered to “harm Israel’s security.” That law—originally aimed at halting broadcasts by Qatar’s Al Jazeera network—applies broadly to all foreign outlets.
During deliberations last July, Knesset legal adviser Miri Frankel-Shor cautioned that removing judicial oversight could raise constitutional concerns, emphasizing that judicial review ensures all parties can present their arguments.
She said the temporary law was designed to balance national security needs with freedom of expression and the public’s right to information, especially during wartime.
Under the existing version, the communications minister—acting with the prime minister’s approval—may order the suspension of a foreign broadcaster if its content is deemed to “directly threaten Israel’s security.” Such orders are limited to 90 days and require judicial confirmation.
The measure follows ongoing tensions with Al Jazeera, which has provided extensive coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.
According to an Israeli news, the proposal seeks to make permanent the so-called “Al Jazeera Law,” a temporary measure that currently allows Israel to block foreign media operations for limited periods.
“The temporary measure has expired, and therefore, the new law must be passed quickly,” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said during a Knesset plenary session.
The bill, sponsored by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner, passed its first vote with 50 in favor and 41 against, out of 120 Knesset members. It must still pass three additional readings before becoming law.
If enacted, the legislation would empower the government to permanently shut down foreign media outlets, even outside periods of war or national emergency.
In April 2024, the Knesset approved a similar law enabling the prime minister and communications minister to ban foreign media considered to “harm Israel’s security.” That law—originally aimed at halting broadcasts by Qatar’s Al Jazeera network—applies broadly to all foreign outlets.
During deliberations last July, Knesset legal adviser Miri Frankel-Shor cautioned that removing judicial oversight could raise constitutional concerns, emphasizing that judicial review ensures all parties can present their arguments.
She said the temporary law was designed to balance national security needs with freedom of expression and the public’s right to information, especially during wartime.
Under the existing version, the communications minister—acting with the prime minister’s approval—may order the suspension of a foreign broadcaster if its content is deemed to “directly threaten Israel’s security.” Such orders are limited to 90 days and require judicial confirmation.
The measure follows ongoing tensions with Al Jazeera, which has provided extensive coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.
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