Al Jazeera has condemned the Israeli government’s move to close its operations in Israel, calling the decision a ‘criminal act.’
Al Jazeera, in a statement on Sunday, May 5, said, “Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access information. Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences.”
The Network further added, “Israel’s ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law.”
Al Jazeera highlighted, “Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover, whilst more than 140 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza.”
The news outlet denies all the accusations and said, “The Network vehemently rejects the allegations presented by Israeli authorities suggesting professional media standards have been violated. It reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values embodied by its Code of Ethics.”
Al Jazeera urged all media freedom, human rights, and other concerned organisations to condemn the repeated attacks on journalists and the press by Israel.
The Network also promised to pursue all legal channels through international legal institutions in its “Quest to protect both its rights and journalists, as well as the public’s right to information.”
