Tel Aviv court approves 35-day extension of Al Jazeera ban, finding close ties with Hamas

The Tel Aviv District Court approves the temporary ban on the Al Jazeera news network in Israel ordered by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi on May 5, finding that there is a “close connection” between the channel and Hamas and that the Qatari network does “actual damage” to Israeli security.

The court reduces the ban from 45 days to 35 days requested by Karhi however, because Al Jazeera was not granted a hearing before the ban was enacted.

The outlet was banned from broadcasting in Israel and its website taken offline in accordance with an emergency law allowing for foreign outlets deemed to be violating national security to be temporarily blocked.

The court rules that “convincing, clear, and unambiguous evidence” has been presented to it regarding “the close, long-term connection between the Hamas terror organization and the Al Jazeera media network,” while Hamas “advances its goals through the channel.”

The court finds that Al Jazeera’s broadcasts include “clear incitement” and that the channel “describes in ‘real-time’ the positioning of IDF forces.”

The State Attorney’s Office says in a statement, “It was determined that there is no doubt the channel’s broadcasts do real damage to Israel’s security.”

The ban will now expire at midnight this coming Sunday, June 9. Karhi’s office said he is now working to extend the ban for a 45-day period.

* A previous version of this entry incorrectly stated that the ruling pertained to a request for an extension to the order banning Al Jazeera.