Israeli lawmakers on Monday passed a bill to enforce a ban on Doha-based news channel Al Jazeera. The Knesset also determined that other foreign news networks are a ‘security risk’. The law was cleared after PM Benjamin called the media outler a ‘terror channel’ that harmed Israel’s security and actively participated in the October 7 attack.

The law passed 71 to 10 in its second and third readings, the Times of Israel reported, further adding that Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi vowed that Al Jazeera will be shut down ‘in the coming days’.

“There won’t be freedom of expression for Hamas mouthpieces in Israel,” Karhi added.

According to the bill passed on Monday, Netanyahu and his communications minister can order the temporary closure of foreign networks if they are believed to constitute a threat to national security.

“The terrorist channel Al Jazeera will no longer broadcast from Israel. I intend to act immediately in accordance with the new law to stop the channel’s activity. I welcome the law promoted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi with the support of coalition members led by coalition chairman Ofir Katz,” Israeli PM said on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

The White House was quick to issue a statement about the law. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We believe in the freedom of the press. It is critical. It is critically important, and the United States supports the critically important work of journalists around the world, and that includes those who are reporting in the conflict in Gaza.”

“So we believe that work is important. The freedom of the press is important. And if those reports are true, it is concerning to us.”