Israel - April 2024

On 1 April, the Israeli parliament passed a law granting senior ministers the authority to shut down foreign news networks deemed to pose a 'threat to national security'. The law, which was passed by a vote of 71-10 in the Knesset, authorizes the communications minister to suspend broadcasting, close offices, seize equipment, and take down websites of offending foreign news channels. Shutdown orders can be issued initially for a period of up to 45 days, with provisions for renewals of up to an additional 45 days each time. There is no specified limit on the number of renewals. The law will remain effective until July 31, 2024, or until the state of emergency is lifted, whichever comes first. Media freedom organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, have criticized the law, arguing that it poses a significant threat to media and press freedom and called on the Israeli government to reverse this decision. 

Update: On 22 December 2025, the Knesset extended the law until the end of 2027, via an amendment that allows it to remain in effect outside of the war time state of emergency, which it had voted to lift earlier in the month. The temporary law has been in continuous effect since its enactment in 2024. 

Sources: Knesset, Al-Jazeera, Times of Israel (1), Euro-Med Rights, Committee to Protect Journalists, The Times of Israel (2)