Palestinian Authority Suspends Al-Jazeera Broadcasts
The Palestinian Authority has announced a suspension of broadcasts by Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news channel, accusing it of incitement.
Al Jazeera responded by drawing parallels between the move and similar restrictions imposed by Israel.The channel is already barred from broadcasting in Israel, a decision rooted in an ongoing dispute with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.
In September, masked and armed Israeli forces stormed Al Jazeera’s office in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, accusing the outlet of being “used to incite terror.”
The military imposed an initial 45-day closure order, a move that drew condemnation from the Palestinian foreign ministry, which called it “a blatant violation” of press freedom.
By Thursday, the Palestinian Authority defended its own decision to suspend the network, claiming the measure was only “temporary.” The PA explained that its action came in response to a complaint from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate regarding Al Jazeera’s coverage.
“These measures shall be applied until Al Jazeera chooses to act in accordance with basic media ethics, including its duty to prevent deliberate disinformation, ban the glorification of violence, and end the incitement to armed mutiny,” the PA said.
The syndicate, representing roughly 3,000 Palestinian journalists, stated that several members had lodged complaints against Al Jazeera, accusing the network of biased reporting, incitement, spreading misinformation, and promoting internal divisions.
In response, the Palestinian Authority (PA) announced a decision to “temporarily suspend the operations of all journalists, staff, crews, and affiliated channels linked to Al Jazeera until the network’s legal status is brought into compliance with Palestinian laws and regulations,” according to the official news agency Wafa on Wednesday night.
The channel showed footage of what seemed to be Palestinian security officers entering Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah and delivering orders to suspend its operations.
Al Jazeera strongly condemned the move, claiming it “mirrors Israeli occupation tactics against its media teams.”
The network accused the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, of trying to prevent Al Jazeera from reporting on intensifying events in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Jenin and its refugee camp.
For weeks, the PA’s security forces have been involved in violent confrontations with armed militants in Jenin, located in the northern West Bank.
- Disputes over media coverage –
Hamas, the militant group opposed to the PA’s ruling Fatah faction, condemned the decision to shut down the network.
“This move is part of a series of recent arbitrary actions by the Authority aimed at restricting public freedoms and strengthening its security control over the Palestinian people,” Hamas stated in a press release.
The Palestinian Authority’s decision to close Al Jazeera’s office in Palestine has sparked criticism from multiple groups. Islamic Jihad, in alliance with Hamas in Gaza, condemned the move, calling it an attempt to silence coverage of the Palestinian people’s struggles.
“This decision comes at a time when our people need to share their suffering with the world,” the group said. Hamas echoed this sentiment, urging the PA to reverse the decision and allow continued media coverage that exposes the occupation and supports Palestinian resilience.
Tensions between Al Jazeera and Fatah, the movement of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, have escalated recently due to the network’s reporting on clashes in Jenin.
Al Jazeera accused Fatah of launching an “incitement campaign” against the network, following its coverage of confrontations between Palestinian security forces and armed militants in Jenin, where the PA forces have been engaged in deadly clashes with gunmen since December. These clashes have been fueled by the arrest of several militants affiliated with Islamic Jihad or Hamas.
The violence in Jenin, especially in its refugee camp, has resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including PA security forces, militants, and civilians. Al Jazeera continues its operations in Gaza, where Hamas has held control since 2007.