The Israel Defense Forces have shut down Al Jazeera’s offices in the West Bank for 45 days.
While Israel has long positioned itself as the most democratic nation in the Middle East, its increasing censorship undermines that claim. No foreign journalists are permitted entry into Gaza, which has been devastated by IDF actions. Al Jazeera has been the only outlet to provide continuous reporting from Gaza, leading to its ban from reporting in Israel and the closure of its West Bank office.
Al Jazeera isn’t alone in facing these challenges; over 600 articles have been censored by the military in Israel over the past year, reflecting a troubling trend towards autocracy.
Two decades ago, Tony Judt warned that Israel must choose between becoming an apartheid state that annexes Palestine or a democratic nation that embraces a two-state solution.
Israel lacks the legal authority to close a media organization in the West Bank or to force Palestinians out of northern Gaza, indicating a drift toward apartheid.
The closure of Al Jazeera’s West Bank office serves as a concerning warning sign.
