The Israeli government decides to close Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced the government’s unanimous decision to shut down Al Jazeera channel offices in Israel, accusing the Qatari channel of inciting violence.
According to a report by the Israel Broadcasting Corporation, Netanyahu’s office stated that the decision to close Al Jazeera received full approval from the cabinet.
The Israeli media reported that ministers from the official camp didn’t participate in the vote.
The decision means the confiscation of all Al Jazeera’s broadcasting equipment and the withdrawal of the press credentials of its correspondents in Israel.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi commented, “The orders came into effect immediately… We faced many legal challenges, but we were finally able to stop the incitement machine that threatens state security”.
Al Jazeera channel offices in Israel have 70 employees, according to Ynet website who also reported that the minister of communications plans to demand that the channel stop broadcasting in the West Bank.
Minister Nir Barkat commented on the decision, saying, “Al Jazeera is the world’s largest source of anti-Semitism, and Qatar uses it to attack Israel and the Jewish people; On Holocaust anniversary, the government sends a strong message against Qatari propaganda”.
“We’ll not allow Israel’s enemies to spread their anti-Semitic propaganda and blood plots,” he added.