Prime Minister Netanyahu bans Arabic news channel Al Jazeera in Israel

Al Jazeera’s reporting has been a thorn in Israel’s side for some time. Communications Minister Shlomo Karai previously accused the channel of encouraging hostilities against Israel. “It is impossible to tolerate a media outlet, with press cards from the (Qatari) government’s press office and with offices in Israel, that acts against us from within, especially in times of war,” he said.

Qatar plays an important role as a mediator in the war between Israel and Hamas. For example, it helped negotiate the temporary pause in fighting in November, in which Hamas released Israeli hostages and Israel released Palestinian prisoners in return. Qatar is once again the scene of talks about a new pause in fighting and avoiding an Israeli raid on Rafah. However, those conversations seem to be going nowhere.

Prime Minister Netanyahu previously called on Qatar to put more pressure on Hamas. Qatar has intensive contacts with Hamas and also hosts the group’s political office and several key officials.