Lawmakers passed a bill on Monday that would allow Israel to ban the broadcast of content from foreign channels and would also allow the closing of their offices in the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed to take “immediate action” to shut down Al-Jazeera in Israel once the bill was passed.

“The EU is concerned by newly adopted legislation giving temporary powers to the Israeli government to prevent foreign media networks from operating in Israel,” the EU’s foreign affairs spokesman, Peter Stano, said.

“Press freedom has to be guaranteed everywhere including in war contexts,” he added.

“Too many journalists have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured since the beginning of the Gaza conflict on Oct 7. We firmly condemn journalists’ killings and recall the need to ensure their access, safety and protection at all times,” Stano said.

The statement contained no direct reference to Al-Jazeera.

Israel in January accused an Al-Jazeera staff journalist and a freelancer killed in an air strike in the Gaza Strip of being “terror operatives”.

The channel has vehemently denied the claims and accuses Israel of systematically targeting its employees in Gaza.