Israel's closing of Al Jazeera a 'dark day for democracy' - FPA

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to close down Al Jazeera, calling it a 'dark day for the media' and a 'dark day for democracy'.

The closure followed months of Israeli incitement against the Qatar-based broadcaster, one of the last remaining international media networks reporting on Israel's war on Gaza from the ground. 

"With this decision, Israel joins a dubious club of authoritarian governments to ban the station," the FPA wrote in a statement.

"And the government may not be done. The prime minister has the authority to target other foreign media that he deems to be 'acting against the state'.

"We urge the government to reverse this harmful step and uphold its commitment to freedom of the press - including outlets whose coverage it may not like.

"This is a dark day for the media. This is a dark day for democracy."