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Israel shut down Al Jazeera's  operations in the country and seized some of its communication equipment Sunday, prompting condemnation from the United Nations and rights groups over alleged moves by the government to restrict press freedoms. The Qatari-based news network called the closure of its offices a “criminal act,” while critics said the move was a “dark day for democracy” and that it sets a concerning precedent for other international media outlets operating in Israel.  The  Ministry of Communications said Sunday it had closed the network’s Jerusalem offices, and confiscated its communication equipment. “In addition, the network’s broadcasts on cable and satellite were stopped, and access to its websites was blocked,” the ministry said. Dr Adi Schwartz from the Misgav Institute for National Security told KAN's Mark Weiss that the closure of Al Jazeera was justified. (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.