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Parliament votes to prolong foreign broadcaster ban
Israel's Knesset approved a two-year extension on Tuesday that lets the government close foreign news outlets it deems a security risk without judicial review.
The measure passed 22-10 and replaces a wartime order that was set to expire.
Scope and rationale
The law empowers ministers to halt broadcasts or seal offices of any foreign channel operating in Israel, even during peacetime. Officials cite national-security concerns, arguing that some outlets spread bias or support militant groups.
In May 2024 the government invoked the original order to shutter Al Jazeera's local bureau and block its transmissions, accusing the Qatari network of anti-Israel coverage and Hamas sympathies.
"This is a criminal act and a direct assault on press freedom,"
Al Jazeera statement
Criticism from rights groups
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said the law violates free expression, the right to information, and prevents citizens from accessing perspectives that differ from the government line.
ACRI and other watchdogs warn the measure could be used to silence additional foreign networks.
Parallel move against domestic broadcaster
Hours before the Knesset vote, the cabinet approved a plan to close Army Radio (Galei Tzahal), a military-run but editorially independent station that has operated since 1950.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the station to cease operations by 1 March 2026, arguing it now airs "political and divisive content" that conflicts with IDF values.
Reactions to Army Radio closure
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers the arrangement was rare, saying, "I think it exists in North Korea and maybe a few other countries, and we probably don't want to be counted among them."
The Union of Journalists announced it will file a High Court petition, calling the decision "a severe and unlawful infringement on freedom of expression and press freedom."
The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) said the closure would eliminate half of Israel's independent public radio news and warned it reflected "a broader and worrying pattern of ongoing harm to Israeli democracy."
