The Palestinian Authority (PA) made an official announcement on Wednesday, stating that it had decided to suspend Al Jazeera’s broadcasts and halt the network’s operations within PA-controlled areas.
A committee consisting of representatives from the Palestinian Ministries of Culture, Interior, and Communications stated that this suspension would remain until Al Jazeera resolves its legal issues. The PA accused the network of breaching Palestinian laws by airing “provocative content,” which included “deception, incitement to rebellion, sabotage, and meddling in internal Palestinian affairs.” This action follows critical coverage by the Qatari channel of PA security forces, especially during the PA’s counterterrorism efforts against operatives from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Jenin refugee camp.
The channel claimed that PA forces were to blame for the death of a journalism student during clashes, an allegation that the PA rejected, asserting that its forces were not involved in the incident. The PA also pointed out that the student’s brother was a wanted Hamas militant and that she had affiliations with PIJ and Hamas-linked groups.
Hamas strongly condemned the PA’s decision, labeling it “a blatant violation of press freedom” and accusing the PA of suppressing opposition. “This oppressive move is part of a series of arbitrary measures the Palestinian Authority has lately adopted to restrict public rights and freedoms and strengthen its security hold over the Palestinian people,” Hamas stated. Last month, Fatah, the movement led by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, had already prohibited Al Jazeera’s activities in the West Bank, criticizing its “incitement” during coverage of events in Jenin, particularly against PA security forces. Fatah also urged Al Jazeera journalists to resign, claiming the network was “destroying the Arab world.”
Under the newly imposed directive, Al Jazeera journalists found broadcasting within PA territories could face arrest and legal repercussions. This step mirrors a previous action taken by the Israeli government, which had banned Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, citing its broadcasts as a direct security threat.
{Matzav.com}