In a significant move, Israel's legislature has passed a law allowing for the temporary ban of foreign news networks deemed as a threat to national security, paving the way for the potential shutdown of Qatar-based Al Jazeera. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to act swiftly to implement the law against the Qatari-funded news outlet, accusing it of supporting Hamas and functioning as a mouthpiece for the U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Netanyahu took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce his intentions, stating, "The terrorist channel Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel. I intend to act immediately in accordance with the new law to stop the channel's activity." The law, which passed the Knesset with a majority vote of 71-10 in both its second and third reading, allows for the shutdown of foreign news outlets deemed a national security threat for 45-day periods, with the possibility of renewal.

Al Jazeera's coverage of Israel, particularly its war against Hamas following the October 7 attack, has drawn criticism from both Israel and the United States. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Qatar to curb anti-Israel incitement in Al Jazeera's reporting on the aftermath of the attack. While the Biden administration voiced concern over the new Israeli law, stating their belief in the freedom of press, Israeli lawmakers have gone even further in accusing Al Jazeera of having ties to Hamas.

Israel's Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's office had previously alleged that there was evidence of Al Jazeera assisting the enemy, broadcasting propaganda in support of Hamas in both Arabic and English. They further claimed that the news organization had even shared sensitive information with the group.

One notable incident involves Al Jazeera journalist Ismail Abu Omar, who the Israeli military has accused of being a Hamas operative. Abu Omar was injured in February during an Israeli airstrike near the Gaza-Egypt border and was subsequently flown to Doha for medical treatment.

The Committee To Protect Journalists expressed deep concern over the Israeli airstrike that harmed both Abu Omar and freelance cameraman Ahmed Matar at the time.

The new law is set to expire on July 31, and it remains to be seen how this development will shape the future of Al Jazeera's presence in Israel.