Israel to shut down Al-Jazeera's Jerusalem office

JERUSALEM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to shut down the Jerusalem office of the Al-Jazeera's news network, he said Thursday.

"I have instructed [law enforcement] to close Al-Jazeera's Jerusalem office because it promotes violence over Temple Mount,” Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page. “If that is not possible according to the current laws, I would work for the passing of necessary legislation at the Knesset to dismiss Al-Jazeera.”

Israeli authorities closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque that is venerated by Muslims and Jews -- who call the site Temple Mount -- and canceled weekly Friday prayers for the first time in nearly five decades, following a deadly shootout July 14.

The mosque was later reopened after Israel installed metal detectors and cameras at its gates.

Muslims worshippers protested the measures in demonstrations and clashes with police that has led to the deaths of 11 people, including eight Palestinians, but Israel refused to remove the detectors, claiming the security measures were similar to procedures used at other holy sites around the world.

Following international pressure, Israel's security cabinet decided to remove the metal detectors but said a new surveillance system using "smart checks" based on advanced technology would be put in place.