Israel's cabinet unanimously voted to sanction Haaretz, the nation's oldest newspaper, citing its critical coverage of the war following the October 7 Hamas attacks. The decision, proposed by communications minister Shlomo Kar'i, will end government advertising in the newspaper and cancel subscriptions for state employees and employees of state-owned companies.
Haaretz, known for its critical coverage, has investigated alleged abuses by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as military operations expanded across Gaza and into Lebanon. The move to sanction the newspaper was described as an attempt to silence a critical, independent voice.
The newspaper's publisher, Amos Schocken, faced criticism for referring to Palestinian 'freedom fighters' during a speech in London. Despite clarifying that he did not consider Hamas militants as freedom fighters, Schocken's comments drew backlash in Israel.
Haaretz criticized the government's decision, calling it a step towards dismantling Israeli democracy. The move comes after recent actions against media outlets, including the shutdown of Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah and operations inside Israel.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that at least 137 journalists and media workers have been killed covering the war, marking the deadliest period for journalists since 1992.
