In response to the announcement by Israels communications minister, Ayoub Kara, that the Israeli government has decided to close Al Jazeera s office in Jerusalem and take the channel off air, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director, Magdalena Mughrabi said: <\/p>\n
This is a brazen attack on media freedom in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The move sends a chilling message that the Israeli authorities will not tolerate critical coverage. <\/p>\n
By acting to suppress Al Jazeera the Israeli government joins a host of other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, which have demanded the channels closure in the wake of the dispute between Gulf countries and Qatar. <\/p>\n
All journalists should be free to carry out their work without facing harassment or intimidation. Instead of initiating a repressive clampdown on freedom of expression the Israeli authorities must halt any attempt to silence critical media. <\/p>\n
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Israel: Plans to shut down Al Jazeera an attack on media freedom - Amnesty International<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In response to the announcement by Israels communications minister, Ayoub Kara, that the Israeli government has decided to close Al Jazeera s office in Jerusalem and take the channel off air, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director, Magdalena Mughrabi said: This is a brazen attack on media freedom in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The move sends a chilling message that the Israeli authorities will not tolerate critical coverage. Continue reading