Israeli Minister Backs Closing Al-Jazeera Bureau

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that he was in favor of closing the offices of Qatari channel Al-Jazeera, after several Arab states did so.

"There is no reason for Al-Jazeera to continue to transmit from Israel," he told public radio. "It is not media, it is a propaganda outfit in the style of the Soviets or Nazi Germany."

"All the reporting on Israel is biased and hostile, while the channel says nothing about Iran," he added.

Asked when the bureau could be closed, he said they were seeking a "legal solution."

Quoted in Israeli media, the head of Al-Jazeera's bureau said they would appeal any decision closing them down.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had raised the possibility of a closure on Monday, Israeli media reported.

Israeli leaders accuse the Qatari channel of supporting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt broke off relations with Qatar on June 5, accusing the gas-rich Gulf state of "supporting terrorism."

The countries also banned Al-Jazeera, founded more than 20 years ago by the Qatari government, denouncing its "Islamist" orientations.

Al-Jazeera has nearly 80 offices around the world and broadcasts in several languages.