Israel’s largest cable provider has blocked Al Jazeera news broadcasts, citing a government-approved ban on the channel issued Sunday.
According to the Associated Press, on Sunday afternoon, the “Hot” cable provider switched off Al Jazeera’s English and Arabic programs.
“In accordance with the government decision, broadcaster Al-Jazeera has ceased operations in Israel,” it said in an on-screen announcement.
In Israel, the channel’s Arabic and English websites remained online, and the station was still available to watch live on YouTube in both languages.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that his government has voted unanimously to close the local offices of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera, escalating Israel’s long-running feud with the channel at a time when cease-fire talks with Hamas, mediated by Qatar, are gaining momentum.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the decision takes effect immediately.
Possible steps include closing the channel’s headquarters in Israel, confiscating broadcast equipment, preventing the channel’s news from being broadcast, and disabling its websites.
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