Al Jazeera’s New York studio. Image by Getty Images

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel intends to cancel an Al Jazeera journalist’s press accreditation on the grounds that he is biased toward the Palestinians, the director of the government press office said on Wednesday.

Nitzan Chen said Al Jazeera correspondent Elias Karram’s press card would be revoked, pending a hearing, because he told television station Dar al-Iman last year that he was actively siding with the Palestinians in his work as a reporter.

Karram is an Israeli Arab citizen from Nazareth, Chen’s office said.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he would work to close down Qatar-based Al Jazeera, accusing it of inciting violence in Jerusalem.

“These remarks call into question the ability of Karram, the representative of a foreign network, to cover — as a professional journalist — the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which, according to his own words, he is taking an active part,” Chen wrote in a statement.

A clip from the interview Karram gave to the little-known TV station shows him saying: “A Palestinian journalist working in occupied territory … is no different to a politician or a teacher (resisting Israel’s occupation).

“The journalist is doing his part … with the pen, radio, voice or camera. You are part of this nation and you resist in your own way.”

After Kara’s announcement, the Foreign Press Association in Israel criticized the planned moves.

“Changing the law in order to shut down a media organization for political reasons is a slippery slope,” association executive secretary Glenys Sugarman said.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount