Israel Cuts Ties with Newspaper Haaretz, Citing Anti-Government Stance
The Israeli government has approved a resolution to sever ties with the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz, banning government funding bodies from advertising or communicating with the publication, Al Jazeera reports.
The decision, reportedly approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was not included on the official agenda for the weekly cabinet meeting.
The government cited numerous articles deemed detrimental to Israel’s legitimacy and right to self-defense, specifically referencing comments made by Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken at a London conference. Schocken’s remarks, which criticized the government’s policies towards Palestinians and described the situation as an “apartheid regime,” sparked controversy. While Schocken later clarified that his reference to “Palestinian freedom fighters” did not include Hamas, the government pressed ahead with the resolution.
Haaretz condemned the decision as an “opportunist boycott,” asserting that it lacked proper legal review and represented another step in Netanyahu’s alleged dismantling of Israeli democracy. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who initiated the sanction, had previously proposed halting all government subscriptions to Haaretz, including those within the military.
This move comes amidst a broader crackdown on media outlets amid the ongoing conflict. Israel’s actions have resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinian journalists in Gaza, including prominent figures such as Ismail al-Ghoul, Rami al-Rifi, Samir Abudaqa, and Hamza Dahdouh of Al Jazeera.
