Israel's frosty relationship with Al Jazeera is heading for a deep freeze.
Over the past year, Israel has been gradually disengaging from Al Jazeera.
Last March, Israeli leaders threatened to stop working with Al Jazeera because they were unhappy with their coverage if the last Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Six months ago, Israel temporarily stopped approving work visas and press cards for Al Jazeera after one of the station's anchors hosted a birthday celebration for Samir Kuntar, the Lebanese killer freed in a prisoner exchange with Israel.(Al Jazeera later conceded that the birthday cake and musical serenade for Kuntar were unethical.)
Now, Israel is taking new steps to prevent Al Jazeera from working in Israel.
Israel has decided to deny work visas to the the Al Jazeera reporters and allow the station's journalists to talk only to spokespeople for the prime minister, foreign minister and Israeli military.
The moves come in response to a decision by Qatar, which launched and funds Al Jazeera, to sever ties with Israel in the aftermath of Israel's 22-day military operation in Gaza.
According to Haaretz, Israel even considered declaring Al Jazeera a "hostile entity" and shutting down its offices in Israel. But top officials decided not to go that far because it wasn't clear the decision would be approved by the country's high court.
Israeli leaders who barred reporters from freely entering Gaza during the war and are now penalizing Al Jazeera for Qatar's political decisions still contend that they believe in freedom of the press.
"now penalizing Al Jazeera for Qatar's political decisions still contend that they believe in freedom of the press."
One can only make this statement if one believes that AJ can be considered "press" and not a propaganda organ. Leftism destroys rational thought, Mr. Nissenbaum.
Posted by: TJ | February 04, 2009 at 01:47 AM
What is Israel so afraid of? The truth being told? This is more ridiculousness in Israel's war on the press.
Posted by: Julia Hurley | February 04, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Actions, sadly, speak louder than words.
Posted by: Laura | February 04, 2009 at 11:40 AM
This is how totalitarian states operate; control the media, one way or another. Works for North Korea. Leftism is rational thought, TJ. That explains why it's no longer the "Hannity and Colmes Show".
Posted by: jimbo | February 04, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Israel continues to build its own destruction
Posted by: Kija | February 06, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Jimbo,
You are a case in point. North Korea is a leftist state, and since you are leftist, it is probably difficult for you to comprehend the irony in citing it as an example to support your case.
Al Jazeera is only "media" in the literal sense that it broadcasts propaganda over the medium of airwaves and the medium of the internet. But it cannot be called a member of the press or a journalistic entity in any objective sense. This may be difficult for a leftist to understand, but AJ's party honoring terrorist and child-killer Samir Kuntar is not an example of "objective journalism."
Posted by: TJ | February 07, 2009 at 04:03 PM
TJ your statement shows your lack of intelligence. Since when has communism been considered leftist. You are probably one of those people who believed Jesus walked the earth at the same time so I'll excuse your stupidity. Communism= rightist if anything and socialism = leftist. Consider this your free education
Posted by: Jon Shcrieb | February 11, 2009 at 07:41 PM
TJ your statement shows your lack of intelligence. Since when has communism been considered leftist. You are probably one of those people who believed Jesus walked the earth at the same time as dinosaurs so I'll excuse your stupidity. Communism= rightist if anything and socialism = leftist. Consider this your free education
Posted by: Jon Schreib | February 11, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Jon Schreib thanks for the free education and the free reminder of the the ill-founded, arrogant prickishness that accompanies so many of your political ilk.
Posted by: Jeff Guthery | February 22, 2009 at 10:05 PM