IFJ calls on Israel to review decision on Al Jazeera bureau closure

Brussels, Oct 20 : The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on Israel to review its decision to close the Al Jazeera bureau in the country, IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger told Ria Novosti on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli government approved emergency rules for the closure of broadcasters that cause “harm to the security of the state,” which will allow the closure of Al Jazeera in Israel.

“We are deeply concerned at Israel’s attempt to censor media coverage of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict using national security as an excuse to restrict critical media that do not confirm its narrative of the ongoing war. This is a clear attack on media pluralism and the public’s right to know. The whole world must be allowed to see what is happening in the ongoing conflict and we urge Israel to review its decision,” Bellanger said.