Al Jazeera Correspondent’s Admission of Pro-Palestinian Bias will Cost His Israeli Press Credentials

The Israeli government’s attempt to balance press freedoms and state security took an unpopular turn when the head of the Government Press Office announced that a hearing will be held regarding an Al-Jazeera correspondent’s admission to an Arab-language news organization that he favors the Palestinian side as a reporter and the government’s intention to revoke his press credentials. The reporter, Elias Karram, is an Arab Israeli from the city of Nazareth. In July, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to close Al-Jazeera, a promise echoed by Communications Minister Kara, although there are no outward signs of that happening. In the meantime, the action against Karram signals that the Israeli government will act against those clearly operating against its interest despite criticism from journalistic and rights groups that the Jewish state seeks to curtail freedoms of expression.