Netanyahu Threatens to Shut Al Jazeera in Israel Over Temple Mount Row Coverage

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he will prepare legislation needed to shut down the Qatari-funded Al Jazeera television channel over its coverage of a dispute over a holy site in East Jerusalem.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Israel toughened security around the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, after the killing of two policemen there two weeks ago. The measure led to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces and caused the deaths of four Muslim worshippers.

"The Al Jazeera network won't stop stoking violence over the Mount. I’ve demanded several times that law enforcement authorities close the Al Jazeera bureau in Jerusalem. If this cannot be done due to legal interpretation, I will have necessary rules enacted to remove Al Jazeera from Israel," Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Facebook.

The Doha-based broadcaster has already been accused by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain of supporting terrorism in the region. Its closure was part of an ultimatum issued last month to Qatar, which rejected the demand as unacceptable.