Al Jazeera condemns Israeli ban extension, calls for its immediate lifting
Network calls move 'assault' on press freedom, warns of 'dangerous pattern' that undermines ability to report facts.
Al Jazeera Media Network has strongly condemned the Israeli authorities’ decision to extend a ban on its operations in Israel for another 90 days, including the suspension of its broadcasts, the closure of its offices and the restriction of access to its websites and digital platforms.
In a statement on Monday, the Qatar-based network said it considered the move “an assault” on press freedom and the public’s right to information, warning it set “a dangerous pattern that undermines the ability of news organisations to report the facts and hold those in power to account”.
It came after a court in Tel Aviv approved last week the Israeli government’s decision to extend the ban for a further 90 days.
“The Network notes that the extension was based on secret material which neither the Network nor its lawyers were permitted to see or respond to, denying it any genuine opportunity to defend itself and falling short of the most basic guarantees of due process,” it said.