Israel’s Supreme Court is currently examining petitions challenging the closure of Al Jazeera’s office within the country, as reported by Israeli Army Radio. The closure, which occurred in early May, has sparked a legal battle highlighting the issue of freedom of press.
One of the judges involved acknowledged the violation of freedom of expression inherent in the closure. Another judge emphasized the importance of basing the repeal of a law on substantial grounds rather than anecdotal claims.
Also Read | Maldives Imposes Travel Ban on Israeli Passport Holders Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
The report quoted one of the judges as saying, “There is no doubt that there is a violation of freedom of expression here.”
“Repeal of a law cannot be based on anecdotal claims, but on things inherent in the law,” said another judge, referring to the accusations of incitement that led to the closure of Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera Media Network has condemned the Israeli government’s decision to close its operations in Israel as a “criminal act” and warned that the country’s suppression of the free press “stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law“.
