Israeli Knesset advances bill to shut any foreign media outlet

The Israeli Knesset, in its first of three votes, advanced a bill allowing the closure of any foreign media outlet without court approval, Haaretz reported. 

The report said that the bill aims to convert the "Al-Jazeera Law", a temporary order that permits the permanent closure of foreign media outlets in Israel, into a permanent law. 

The bill was approved by a majority of 50 supporters against 41 opponents, amid opposition from legal advisors. 

A bill must pass the third and final level of voting by a simple majority to become law.