Al-Jazeera decries loss of Israel bureau

JERUSALEM — Al-Jazeera on Monday denounced Israel’s decision to close the Jerusalem bureau of Qatar’s flagship satellite network, saying the measure was “undemocratic” and that it will take legal action.

Israel’s move follows in the footsteps of four Arab countries that are aligned against Qatar as part of a monthslong political dispute over Doha’s politics and alleged support for extremists.

Israel has long accused the network of bias against it and incitement to violence.

“Al-Jazeera denounces this decision made by a state that claims to be ‘the only democratic state in the Middle East,’” the network said in a statement. “Al-Jazeera stresses that it will watch closely the developments that may result from the Israeli decision, and will take the necessary legal measures.”

Al-Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara noted the irony of Israel following the lead of Sunni Arab states.

“Those dictatorships now dictate to Israel what it does about press and press credentials,” Bishara said on-air. “Israel is taking its cues from Arab dictators.”