Israel’s parliament has extended a controversial law that grants the government authority to shut down foreign media outlets operating in the country. The legislation, which passed by 22 votes to 10, expands temporary powers first introduced during the Gaza war to close media channels deemed a threat to national security.
Under the extended law, the Israeli government can now cease operations of foreign broadcasters for the next two years, even in peacetime and without requiring a court order. Critics argue this move represents a serious threat to freedom of the press.
The “Al Jazeera Law” and Its Impacts
The legislation was originally known as the “Al Jazeera Law” and was first used to shut down the Qatari-owned news channel’s offices in Ramallah and block its broadcasts in May 2024. Israel accused Al Jazeera of anti-Israel bias and supporting Hamas in its coverage of the Gaza conflict.
Al Jazeera denied the allegations, calling the closures a “criminal act” and a violation of press freedom. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) condemned the temporary order, stating that it violates freedom of expression, the right to information, and public access to diverse viewpoints.
Army Radio Closure Approved
Hours after extending the foreign broadcaster law, the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to shut down Army Radio (Galei Tzahal, GLZ), a state-funded station operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but with editorial independence.
Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the station no longer serves its intended purpose as a mouthpiece and ear for soldiers, broadcasting instead political and divisive content inconsistent with IDF values. The closure is scheduled for 1 March 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the decision, saying:
“A station broadcasting under military authority is highly unusual. I think it exists in North Korea and maybe a few other countries, and we probably don’t want to be counted among them.”
Criticism from Media and Civil Society
The decision has drawn widespread criticism from journalists and civil rights groups. The Union of Journalists and Journalists’ Organisations announced plans to petition the High Court of Justice, calling the move a severe and unlawful infringement on freedom of expression.
The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) warned that shutting Army Radio would eliminate half of Israel’s independent public radio news broadcasts and represents part of a broader pattern threatening democratic norms.
Implications for Israeli Democracy
The extension of the law and the closure of Army Radio highlight ongoing debates over press freedom in Israel, balancing national security concerns against citizens’ right to diverse and independent media. Human rights organizations argue that these measures may restrict public access to alternative narratives and concentrate media control under the government.
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