Israel’s parliament has passed a bill paving the way for a ban on Al Jazeera and other foreign news networks deemed a "security risk”. Lawmakers voted in favour in the second and third readings. Under the law, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi can order the closure of a television broadcaster, the confiscation of broadcasting equipment, the removal of the broadcaster from cable and satellite television providers’ programmes and the blocking of its website, ynet news site reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would immediately campaign for the closure of Al Jazeera once the law had been approved, the Times of Israel reported, although similar efforts have failed in the past. (Agencies) page 5