An Israeli court has upheld a 35-day ban on Al Jazeera operations in Israel imposed by the government on national security grounds and a minister said he hoped to extend the ban for another 45 days when it runs out on Saturday, Reuters reports.

Israeli authorities raided a Jerusalem hotel room used by Al Jazeera as its office on May 5 and said they were shutting the operation down for the duration of the Gaza offensive, accusing the broadcaster of encouraging hostilities against Israel.

Al Jazeera rejected the accusations as a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that put its journalists at risk.

The court ruling retroactively approved a 35-day ban until June 8.

Tel Aviv District Court Judge Shai Yaniv said he had been provided with evidence, which he did not specify, of a long-standing and close relationship between the Palestinian fighter group Hamas and Qatari-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera, accusing the channel of promoting Hamas goals.

“Freedom of expression has an special importance during time of war.

However, when there is significant harm to state security, the latter consideration comes first,“ he wrote.