LONDON: The Israeli parliament on Wednesday advanced a bill that would grant the government the permanent power to ban foreign media outlets from operating in the country for up to three months at a time.
Lawmakers voted 51-36 to approve the preliminary reading of the so-called “Al Jazeera Law,” which would allow authorities to shut down broadcasters they consider a threat to national security.
Recently introduced temporary legislation, which is due to expire on July 31, enables the government to block broadcasts for renewable periods of 45 days. One such ban imposed on Al Jazeera is due to expire at the end of July.
If it makes it through the three readings in the Knesset that are required to become law, the new bill, authored by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner, would make the legislation permanent and extend the duration of bans to 90-day renewable periods.
The Israeli government used the existing temporary legislation to impose a ban on Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera in May, citing national security concerns. It closed the broadcaster’s offices in Israel and restricted public access to its website. The decision sparked an international outcry and Al Jazeera condemned the ban as a “blatant attack on press freedom.”
Israeli authorities also used the existing temporary legislation to seize equipment belonging to the Associated Press news agency, a decision that was quickly reversed following US intervention.
“I support freedom of the press and media but not at the expense of the safety of our soldiers and citizens,” Kallner wrote after the vote on Wednesday.
“The primary goal is to protect our soldiers on the front lines and prevent hostile media entities from operating within Israel.”
During a discussion before the vote, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said the bill still needs “a few things to improve,” including “closing the loophole of live broadcasts on YouTube.”
Although the bill has advanced to the next stage, the legislative process is lengthy and it will likely face legal challenges.
This month, Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered the government to present it with reasons why the law blocking Al Jazeera broadcasts in the country should not be repealed. One of the justices expressed dismay over the introduction of “such a dramatic law” in a democratic country. Authorities have until Aug. 5 to submit a response.
