UN rights office denounces Israel’s new law ‘restricting media freedoms’

The UN human rights office on Wednesday criticized Israel’s new law on foreign news outlets, calling it “another restriction to media freedoms.”

The new law allows for the temporary closure of foreign news outlets in Israel and bans journalists from entering Gaza.

The UN body emphasized that unhindered journalists’ work is essential for transparency and accountability.

Israel’s legislation passed on Monday allows its communications minister to shut down foreign networks operating in Israel if the defense minister determines that their broadcast poses a security threat.