US Secretary of State Urges Qatar to Tone Down Anti-Israel Rhetoric on Al Jazeera

US Diplomat Antony Blinken highlights heightened fears of escalated regional tensions due to the Gaza war coverage by state-owned Al Jazeera, asks Qatar for revised public stance towards Hamas.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked the Qatari Prime Minister to reduce Al Jazeera's anti-Israel rhetoric around the Gaza war, suggesting that the network's coverage could be escalating regional tensions.
• This request for toned-down coverage is part of a wider appeal from Blinken for Qatar to change its public posture towards Hamas, emphasizing that there can be no 'business as usual' with the organization.
• Despite being under criticism for hosting Hamas’s political leaders, Qatar has used these relationships in negotiations to free hostages in Gaza, an act that US officials have expressed appreciation for.
• Blinken's comments targeted Al Jazeera Arabic more than its English-language counterpart; the Qatari government funds the Al Jazeera Media Network but claims it operates with editorial independence.
• Israel's communications minister has accused Al Jazeera of being a 'propaganda mouthpiece' for Hamas and an inciter of potential attacks against Israeli soldiers, with a proposal to close the Al Jazeera office under consideration by the Israeli security officials.

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