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Al Jazeera has condemned plans by Israeli Government to ban its operation in the country, stressing that the move runs contrary to its democratic tenets. The Qatar-based broadcaster stated that if Israel goes ahead to ban its operation, it will be left with no option than to take legal action.

According to CNN, the issue started on Sunday when Israel Communications Minister, Ayoub Kara accused the media organization of supporting "terroristic journalism" and disclosed plans by the government to halt its transmission and revoke its press credentials. Kara added that the planned action was informed by boycott or outright ban on the news outfit by Arab countries.


"In the current period, most of the countries in our region have determined that Al Jazeera supports terror, supports religious extremism. These include the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt,"
Kara also hinted that he had directed relevant authorities including Israel's Interior Ministry to carry out his directives although no specific date was mentioned.


Kara's statement was coming weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accused Al Jazeera or inciting violence in its reportage of the clashes between Muslims and Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque.
Meanwhile, Aljazeera has issued a statement describing Israel's threat as odd, biased and groundless.


"Israel's explanations were odd and biased as they are in unison with the actions carried out by a number of Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan) that have closed the network's bureaus, shut down its cable and satellite transmissions, and blocked its websites and applications"


It added that "during the press conference, the minister could not substantiate his comments by referring to a single news bulletin or situation that proved Al Jazeera had not been professional nor objective during its coverage in Jerusalem,"


The statement insisted that it would continue to cover news and events in the occupied Palestinian territories in a professional and objective manner and take "necessary legal measures" against the moves to shut it down in Israel.

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