Even if you don't see what is happening in your own country; The United States is often seen giving everything to different countries on issues such as democracy, human rights or independent media. The country has completely turned its eyes on the issue of media freedom. Washington wants to "pull the reins" on Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera in reporting on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Since the beginning of the conflict between Hamas and the Israeli forces, Al Jazeera has been broadcasting the news of every moment of attacks, clashes and casualties. In particular, they are highlighting the extreme plight of Palestinians due to Israeli aggression. Where the role of most Western media is questionable.
In such a situation, the United States claimed that Al Jazeera's broadcast about the war in Gaza was "full of anti-Israeli incitement". They also requested that the media should be "flexible" in reporting the news to Qatar.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made this request in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, in the capital Doha recently. Several international media, including the Guardian, published this news citing Axios.
Pointing to this, Blinken claims that the image of the destruction of the Israeli forces in Gaza, which is being published on Al Jazeera, may further spread this conflict in the Middle East. He also said that the Biden administration has concerns about this.
Blinken said about the actions of the Qatari government in the emerging situation.
Al Jazeera may be called upon to reduce its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Although funded by the Qatari government, Al Jazeera media network operates independently. According to critics, Al Jazeera reflects Qatar's foreign policy.
Earlier, the Israeli government approved the proposal to close Al Jazeera's bureau office in Israel. As a result, Al Jazeera's headquarters in Israel will be temporarily closed. Last Friday (October 20), a report by The Times of Israel said that the Israeli government had approved the 'emergency law'. Under this rule, any media outlet can be shut down if it is found to be acting 'against the security of the state'.
In addition, in an interview given to Army Radio on October 15, Israel's Information Minister Shaloma Karhi demanded the closure of Al Jazeera's local bureau office. At that time, he complained that since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, Al Jazeera has been serving "Hamas related news".
In view of all these, analysts say that the request of the United States to Qatar to rein in Al Jazeera's news can be said to be a reflection of Israel's desire.
Israel is shutting down Al Jazeera by law
The government of the country has approved the proposal to close the office of Al Jazeera, a newspaper based in Qatar in Israel. As a result, Al Jazeera's headquarters in the country will be temporarily closed.
A report in the Times of Israel on Friday (October 20) said that the Israeli government had approved the 'emergency law'. Under this rule, any press can be shut down if it is believed to be working against the security of the state.
However, even if a temporary ban is enacted, the ban can be renewed after a 30-day interval.
Israel's communications minister, Shalomo Karhi, said Israel was now at war "on the ground, in the air, at sea and on the official diplomatic front." We will not allow any media to undermine our national security.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant must get approval before Al Jazeera can be shut down. He is expected to sign the new law.
Earlier on October 15, in an interview given to Israel's wireless media, Army Radio, the country's information minister, Shaloma Karhi, demanded the closure of the local bureau office of Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based media outlet.
At that time, he said, since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, Al Jazeera News has been providing news related to Hamas. In the meantime, he has sent a proposal to the government to close the Israeli office of this media.
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