Israel: Bill to shut 'harmful' foreign media passes first reading

Israel's parliament has passed the first reading of a bill allowing authorities to shut down foreign media deemed "harmful" to national security without a court order. The proposal, known as the "Al Jazeera Law," seeks to make a temporary wartime measure permanent and would empower the communications minister to block channels, seize equipment, and raid offices. This legislation comes amid growing concerns over Israel's crackdown on press freedom during its war on Gaza. The government previously used a temporary order to ban Al Jazeera, confiscating its equipment and blocking its websites.