The Israeli occupation government approved on Sunday a proposal by Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi to renew the ban on the Al Mayadeen media network. The decision includes the confiscation of its equipment and the blocking of its websites.

Israeli media reported that the Minister of Communications pursued a new government decision after obtaining a "professional opinion" from security agencies and receiving approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In what can only be seen as a blatant attack on freedom of speech and an effort to conceal the truth, the Israeli government approved the Telecom Minister's proposal to ban #AlMayadeen, seize its equipment, and block its websites as reported by Israeli media.

It is noteworthy… pic.twitter.com/ZtFi1Is4KU

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 11, 2024

In November 2023, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the suspension of the Al Mayadeen media network in occupied Palestine. The ban followed a joint statement by the Minister of Occupation Security, Yoav Galant, and the Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karai, who cited the network as a threat to “Israel’s security” as the reason for the ban.

The Israeli decisions against Al Mayadeen Network come as it continues to cover the “Al-Aqsa Flood” epic since October 7th, until today, in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and occupied al-Quds. 

In December, Israeli media reported that the ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government agreed to extend the restrictions imposed on the Al Mayadeen Media Network for another 30 days.

Israeli restrictions on Al Mayadeen journalists

Like other journalists speaking the truth behind the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the occupation made it a mission to target journalists in its aggressive campaign.

In November 2023, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied al-Quds Hanaa Mahameed faced a grave threat from Israeli journalists and settlers. They followed her to her car, directly threatened her, and physically prevented her from entering the vehicle. This incident is part of a broader, organized campaign and systematic Israeli policy of intimidation designed to silence every Palestinian voice.

In the details of the attack, Haim Etgar, a journalist for Israeli Channel 12, targeted Hanaa. Along with other settlers, Etgar attempted to lure her under the pretext of delivering a postal envelope, after which they set up an ambush for her.

In the West Bank, the director of Al Mayadeen's bureau in occupied Palestine, Nasser al-Laham, confirmed that Israeli occupation forces assaulted his wife and children after storming his house in Beit Lahm, in the southern occupied West Bank, on October 31.

At the time, the occupation arrested al-Laham's two sons, Bassel and Bassil, later releasing Bassil and insisting on confiscating Bassel's phone. 

In Lebanon, while covering the aggression, Al Mayadeen's correspondent, Farah Omar, and cameraman Rabih Me'mari were murdered in an Israeli airstrike on their location in Tayr Harfa, South Lebanon. An Israeli warplane fired two rockets on Farah and Rabih's location.