Washington, May 6 (RHC)-- The Washington, DC-based National Press Club has condemned the Israeli government’s decision to close Al Jazeera, calling it a “wrong” move for the country, for Palestinians and the rest of the world.

Emily Wilkins, the president of the National Press Club, said the group fully supports Al Jazeera’s decision to fight the case in court.

“As a democracy, the people of Israel depend upon the free flow of information, particularly right now when the decisions their government is making are so enormously impactful for the future of their country’s relationships in the Middle East and with the broader international community,” she said.

“Most chilling about this decision is what it will mean for Al Jazeera  journalists and crews  working and living in Gaza.  They are not mentioned in the government decision.  By branding Al Jazeera as a national security threat, we are deeply concerned that the Israeli government may view them as legitimate military targets.  They are not.”