Who Could Possibly Doubt Al Jazeera's Neutrality?!

"The picture that emerges from the documents demonstrates categorically [and] with convincing, clear and unambiguous evidence the close, long-term connection between the Hamas terror organization and the Al Jazeera media network with the Hamas terror organization advancing its goals through the channel."

"[A clip aired on Al Jazeera that described as a] briefing for how to damage an Israeli tank [and whose purpose was] to harm IDF forces during wartime -- the meaning of which is real harm to state security."

"[There is a] close connection [between the Qatari news network Al Jazeera and the Hamas terror group]."

Justice Shai Yaniv, deputy president, Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Court 

Police raid the Al Jazeera offices in East Jerusalem on May 5, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

 

A review of the decision by Israel's Communications Minister, approved by the country's security cabinet to ban the news network, Al Jazeera for a limited period was undertaken by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Court. Justice Yaniv upheld the temporary ban decision, but he ended up limiting the ban period to 35 days from its original 45 days, linked to the court's procedural concerns. The ban set to expire now on June 9, although the Communications Ministry was planning to extend the ban to another 45-day period.

From May 5, Al Jazeera's broadcasts within Israel were taken off air, its website taken offline, its equipment seized, its offices sealed in accordance with an April emergency law that recognized violations of national security by foreign outlets were to result in their being temporarily blocked. 

Justice Yanif stated his conviction that national security had been harmed by Al Jazeera, making the news site eligible for being banned despite the harm that could arise relating to the constitutional principle of press freedom. However, democracies with their respect for freedom of the press and its protection, did not require them to suffer security harm during a period of war, in  upholding that freedom of expression.

Three classified position papers had been submitted for Justice Yaniv's examination, provided by security agencies as well-founded evidence that included recently occurring incidents making it clear that the network did pose a threat to Israeli security. Hardly surprising, since Al Jazeera's reportage made it abundantly clear that it is hostile to the existence of the Jewish state; its reportage echoing that of its paymaster's sentiments.

 

A closure order on the door of the Al Jazeera offices in east Jerusalem, May 5, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

 

According to Al Jazeera in its self-defence, the tank video was designed for the purpose of demonstrating the tank's capabilities, and similar clips on the capabilities of Israel's Iron Dome rocket defence system as well. Completely innocent of any attempt at security sabotage. An argument rejected by the court. "The clip indicates weak points on the tank and explains how to act to damage the tank and destroy it", responded Justice Yaniv.

"In short, the general picture leaves no room for doubt about the nature of the ongoing relationship between the Al Jazeera channel and the terrorist organization, and the fact that the content broadcast on it serves the terrorist organization Hamas and does significant harm to state security, which is currently in the midst of a grave war with the terror organization."

Aptly, Justice Yaniv brought up the precedent of a decision by the General Court of the European Union banning the Russian state-sponsored RT France channel in July 2022, due to its propaganda for the Kremlin. "Freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the media are among the most important and central values in a democratic state", he wrote, despite the times when that freedom verges on and locks into security threats at which time that freedom calls out to be curtailed.

A general view of the Al Jazeera logo [Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile – Getty Images]