An exchange of accusations between government ministers over the delay in closing Al-Jazeera TV in Israel, while all those involved in the issue claim support for the decision – the implementation is delayed, and the excuses are many.
Al Jazeera footage: The failed launch that hit Gaza hospital
Communications Minister Shlomo Krei responded in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday to a query submitted by MK Oded Forer and others about keeping the TV channel operating from Israeli territory, despite its support for the murderous terrorist organization Hamas, and accused none other than Defense Minister Yoav Galant. Speaking to Knesset members, Qari said: "The prime minister has instructed to carry out legal security work that will limit the channel's broadcasts, we are determined to continue the process until its completion. The matter is at the door of the Minister of Defense. After his consent, which we have not yet received, the request will be submitted to the cabinet for approval."
"The matter is at the defense minister's doorstep," according to Communications Minister Karai (archive), photo: Haim Goldberg/Flash90
However, Defense Minister Galant's office rejected the matter out of hand. According to them, the defense minister supports the closure decision and even presented the required documents to the cabinet. The documents in question were indeed submitted on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, but they were signed on September 15, on the eve of the work done by the Ministry of Communications to close the channel, and the attorney general again demanded the approval of those involved in order to advance the decision.
At this stage, it is repeatedly claimed that those delaying the implementation are Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of the war cabinet as a whole, who decided to delay the decision due to contacts with Qatar to release the hostages. There are those who deny this decision, and thus, even though the regulations have already been approved by the government, there remains one procedure for implementation – the approval of members of the expanded security cabinet on the issue. But this does not reach the members' agenda, meeting after conference, claiming that "staff work on the issue continues." Who is delaying and why? Unknown.
The channel incites against the State of Israel and expresses support for Hamas. Attack in the Gaza Strip during "iron swords", photo: Reuters
Meanwhile? The channel, which serves as the mouthpiece of the Hamas movement, broadcasts from inside Israeli territory, while transmitting information to our enemies, inciting against the State of Israel and expressing support for Hamas. As stated in the Knesset members' request to discuss the issue today: "Every minute that the channel continues to broadcast from the State of Israel harms the security of the state, endangers our citizens and soldiers, and even constitutes a demonstration of weakness and weakness in the face of the terror that finds supporters on Al Jazeera."
Minister Qari announced that "as far as we are concerned, the orders are ready for removal from HOT and YES, for closing offices, for confiscating letter broadcasting equipment, for revocation of press certificates, for preventing communications and Internet services by Israeli companies – everything is ready."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us