Palestinian authorities suspend Al Jazeera broadcasts in their territory

The Palestinian Authority has ordered the suspension of Al Jazeera TV channel’s broadcasts in Palestinian territories, accusing the media outlet of provocation, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.

Al Jazeera had already been banned from broadcasting in Israel due to long-standing disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

In September, Israeli forces attacked the channel’s office in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, saying it was “used to incite terrorism.” The military has issued an initial 45-day closure order, prompting the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to condemn the “flagrant violation” of press freedom.

The official Palestinian Wafa news agency reported on Wednesday evening that Al Jazeera’s “determination to broadcast inflammatory content and reports characterized by disinformation, insurrection, and interference in Palestinian internal affairs” led to the suspension of its broadcasts.

A staff member from Al Jazeera confirmed to AFP that the channel’s Ramallah office received a suspension order on Wednesday.

“The specialized ministerial committee, which includes representatives from the Ministries of Culture, Internal Affairs, and Telecommunications, has decided to suspend broadcasting and freeze all activities of Al Jazeera’s satellite channel and its representation in Palestine,” Wafa reports. “The decision also includes the temporary suspension of activities of all journalists, staff, and affiliated channels until their legal status is rectified, due to violations of Palestinian laws and regulations by Al Jazeera.”

The TV channel has condemned the decision, stating that it “aligns with the Israeli occupation approach, targeting its media teams.” It accused the Palestinian Authority, which partially controls the West Bank, of “attempting to prevent Al Jazeera from covering the events unfolding in the occupied Palestinian territories,” including in Jenin and its refugee camp.