Tel Aviv Tribune Net correspondents
Occupied Jerusalem- The Israeli police quickly raided the offices of the Tel Aviv Tribune network in occupied Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and confiscated the equipment and journalistic work equipment, even before the expiry of the 24-hour time limit stipulated in the precautionary order issued by the Israeli government in its weekly session on Sunday, so that the decision could be reviewed by a court judge. Israeli before it becomes effective.
In a measure that contradicts even the order unanimously approved by the government, the Israeli telecommunications, cable and satellite companies “Hot”, “Yes”, “Bezeq” and all cell phone companies removed the Tel Aviv Tribune network channels from their services and broadcast packages, and blocked the Tel Aviv Tribune Net website and all communication platforms. Social network affiliate.
Under the law enacted by the Israeli Knesset last April, which restricts the work and closure of foreign satellite channels on the grounds that they “harm the security of the state,” it gives the government powers to issue an order to close Tel Aviv Tribune for a period of 45 days, and it can be extended for an additional period of 45 days, with the signature of the Minister of Communications. Shlomo Karai.
The precautionary order allows for the closure of Tel Aviv Tribune’s offices in Israel, the confiscation of broadcast equipment and devices used to broadcast the channel’s content, the prevention of broadcasting the channel’s reports in Arabic and English, the removal of the channel from Israeli cable and satellite companies, and the blocking of the channel’s websites on the Internet, including cell phones. Portable, cancel the Israeli press card for crews.
“Political motives”
Political, party, and human rights activists within the Palestinian territories unanimously agreed that the Israeli government’s decision constitutes a violation of freedoms, a suppression of the freedom of journalistic work, and uses a policy of intimidation and silencing mouths. It falls within the context of the Israeli endeavor to hide the truth and silence Tel Aviv Tribune because of its coverage of the war on Gaza.
Palestinian activists suggested that closing Tel Aviv Tribune’s offices, banning its broadcast, and blocking its websites and accounts on social media platforms and the Internet, is an indication of the Israeli government’s premeditated intention to continue the aggression against Gaza and the invasion of Rafah, and to escalate by committing massacres against the Palestinians without witnesses.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court requesting that the law be repealed, and estimated that one of the main reasons for passing the law was “to put pressure on the State of Qatar, which owns Tel Aviv Tribune,” meaning that the motives were political, not security.
Lawyer Hajjar Shakhtar stated in her review of the petition that she submitted on behalf of the Human Rights Association that the law violates freedom of expression, the right to obtain information, and freedom of the press, and tramples on the principles of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, because it includes what is called the “overcoming clause law,” which prevents the court in advance from the possibility of overturning the decision. , even if it deems it illegal and should be revoked.
Refuting the Israeli government’s allegations that the decision to close was taken under the pretext of “harming the security of the state,” Shakhtar added in the petition that “during the seven months of war, the state could have imposed sanctions on the channel, if there were indeed fears that it was harming the security of the state.”
The lawyer explained that the law is motivated by electoral and populist considerations, saying, “The demand to close Tel Aviv Tribune comes in view of the nature of its broadcasts that are against the policy of the Israeli government, and that invoking the security argument is very cynical. The real purpose of the matter of the hour is to classify and punish foreign media outlets because of the content of their programs, and their adoption of a critical line.” During the war.”
Suppression of freedom of opinion
In response to the Israeli government’s decision to close Tel Aviv Tribune and prevent it from broadcasting in the country, the National Democratic Rally Party issued a statement in which it said, “Freedom of the press, opinion, and expression has no place in an apartheid regime, and a government led by a mentality of criminality, genocide, and revenge.”
The group affirmed in the statement – a copy of which Tel Aviv Tribune Net received – that “this decision, despite the problem of its implementation, is part of a series of suppression of freedom of opinion and expression for everything that is Palestinian and supports truth and the voice of reason and justice.”
The statement explained that no fascist regime can accept criticism or bear to hear another narrative, especially the narrative of the victim whom it is working to exterminate or displace from its land, at the very least.
Hiding the truth
The same position was expressed by Knesset member of the Democratic Front, Youssef Al-Atawneh, who commented on the decision to close Al-Jazeera by saying that the war government’s decision to close the channel is not surprising, as it is only an episode in the series of suppressing freedoms and trying to distort and hide the facts in order to mislead local and international public opinion. As he put it.
In a statement, a copy of which was received by Tel Aviv Tribune Net, Al-Atawneh said that the right-wing government, which is intent on killing and destruction, does not want the world to see the truth about the massacres and horrors that are happening in Gaza.
“Closing Tel Aviv Tribune is a blatant and blatant assault on freedom of opinion and expression, and with this, the right-wing government opens another front in its unjust war, this time against free media, and against everyone who wants to deliver and convey the truth,” the Arab MP added.
Al-Atawneh denounced this arbitrary measure, and affirmed the full support of political and party activities inside Palestine and all the free voices that convey the right and truth, amidst this madness and confusion practiced by the extreme right-wing government.