Germany criticizes Israel’s ban on Al Jazeera

BERLIN

Germany on Monday criticized the Israeli government for ordering the shutdown of Al Jazeera television.

“A free and diverse press landscape is the cornerstone of every liberal democracy,” the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“It is of crucial importance to protect the freedom of the press. The decision of the Israeli authorities to shut down Al Jazeera in Israel is the wrong signal,” the ministry said.

Israeli authorities raided Al Jazeera’s office on Sunday, and seized its broadcasting equipment, shortly after a government decision to shut down the network’s operations in the country.

Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network has been one of the few media outlets broadcasting from the Gaza Strip, despite the ongoing Israeli strikes, which have killed more than 100 journalists and media workers.