Israel considers declaring Al Jazeera "hostile entity"
Israel's frosty relationship with Al Jazeera is heading for a deep freeze.
Over the past year, Israel has been gradually disengaging from Al Jazeera.
Last March, Israeli leaders threatened to stop working with Al Jazeera because they were unhappy with their coverage if the last Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Six months ago, Israel temporarily stopped approving work visas and press cards for Al Jazeera after one of the station's anchors hosted a birthday celebration for Samir Kuntar, the Lebanese killer freed in a prisoner exchange with Israel.(Al Jazeera later conceded that the birthday cake and musical serenade for Kuntar were unethical.)
Now, Israel is taking new steps to prevent Al Jazeera from working in Israel.
Israel has decided to deny work visas to the the Al Jazeera reporters and allow the station's journalists to talk only to spokespeople for the prime minister, foreign minister and Israeli military.
The moves come in response to a decision by Qatar, which launched and funds Al Jazeera, to sever ties with Israel in the aftermath of Israel's 22-day military operation in Gaza.
According to Haaretz, Israel even considered declaring Al Jazeera a "hostile entity" and shutting down its offices in Israel. But top officials decided not to go that far because it wasn't clear the decision would be approved by the country's high court.
Israeli leaders who barred reporters from freely entering Gaza during the war and are now penalizing Al Jazeera for Qatar's political decisions still contend that they believe in freedom of the press.'
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