The measure stops advertisements and financing; According to the government, “many editorials have undermined the legitimacy of the State of Israel”
The Israeli government approved on Sunday (November 24, 2024) a proposal to sanction the newspaper Haaretzthe oldest in the country, for criticizing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
The measure forces all state-funded institutions to stop advertising in the newspaper, cancel subscriptions and cut any form of funding.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karni proposed the sanctions after a text by editor Amos Schocken criticized the Israeli government. “Netanyahu’s government does not mind imposing a cruel apartheid regime on the Palestinian population”these shocks.
The Israeli government said the editor’s statements “support terrorism and call for the imposition of sanctions on the government”.
In a note, the newspaper states that the decision of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud, right), is another step towards “dismantle Israeli democracy”.
“Just like his friends Putin, Erdogan and Orban, Netanyahu is trying to silence a critical and independent newspaper. Haaretz will not back down and will not turn into a government pamphlet publishing messages approved by the government and its leader.”said the newspaper.
Haaretz, with a more liberal and critical view, has already faced problems with the government over its coverage of the conflict in Gaza. Israel banned reporters from entering the region, forcing journalists to act independently and without protection.
In an interview with Qatar’s state broadcaster Al Jazeeraone of , Gideon Levy, said that “Almost all media outlets have fully recruited themselves into the government and army narrative.” He also stated that the government’s sanction “sends a very bad message, both politically and morally”.
