Qatari TV at Heart of Gulf Crisis May Be Shut by Israel, Too
- Netanyahu accuses Al Jazeera of inciting protests in Jerusalem
- Shutting down Qatar-based station seen helping Israel in Gulf
Employees of Qatar based news network and TV channel Al-Jazeera are seen at their Jerusalem office on July 31, 2017, Israel said on August 6, 2017 that it planned to close the offices of Al-Jazeera after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Arab satellite news broadcaster of incitement. A statement from the communications ministry said it would demand the revocation of the credentials of journalists working for the channel and also cut its cable and satellite connections. / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)
Photographer: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty ImagesIsrael is moving ahead with efforts to shut Qatari-owned Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem bureau, as its security service assesses whether the broadcaster presents a significant threat to the Jewish state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the possibility of closing the broadcaster’s operations last month because of its coverage of Palestinian protests at the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, which he said constituted incitement to violence. Communications Minister Ayoob Kara said on Sunday that his office has formally proposed the shutdown, suggesting that it could help Israel improve relations with Gulf nations that have taken similar action as part of a political feud with Qatar.