Israel Expands Power to Shut Down Foreign News Outlets

Israel's parliament has passed a law that significantly expands the government's power to close foreign broadcasters. The new measure extends temporary rules first introduced during the Gaza war. It allows the government to shut down any foreign channel operating in Israel if a senior official believes it harms national security. Officials must get approval from a district court to close a broadcaster. The order can last for 45 days and be renewed. The government has used the earlier version of this law only once. In May, it ordered the temporary closure of the Jerusalem bureau of Al Jazeera, accusing the Qatar-based network of being a threat to security. The network strongly denied the allegations. Critics argue the law could be used to suppress critical media coverage. Supporters say it is a necessary tool to protect the state from foreign propaganda during wartime.