Al Jazeera Blocked by Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority has imposed a temporary ban on Al Jazeera, claiming the network is “stirring strife” in the West Bank. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Palestinian Authority has temporarily banned the Al Jazeera news network from operating in the West Bank, citing accusations that the broadcaster has played a role in inciting unrest and “stirring strife” in the region.
This decision was reported on Wednesday by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, which relayed statements from the PA’s ministries of culture, interior, and communications. They claimed that Al Jazeera’s coverage had “deceived” its audience and “incited division” in reporting on recent clashes in the Jenin refugee camp.
Al Jazeera had reported in December on a raid by PA forces targeting fighters from a splinter group known as the Jenin Brigades. The Jenin refugee camp, established in 1953, was created to provide shelter for Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes by Israelis. It has since developed a reputation as a stronghold of resistance against Israel and is estimated to house between 11,000 and 22,000 residents.
While the ban is said to be temporary, no specific end date has been provided. The decision will not impact Al Jazeera's operations in areas of Gaza that are under Hamas control, a group that has been in conflict with the PA since the mid-2000s. Hamas called on the PA to reverse its decision, asserting that it is “crucial to ensure the continuation of media coverage that exposes the occupation.”
In response to the suspension, Al Jazeera issued a strong condemnation, characterizing the move as “an attempt to dissuade the channel from covering the rapidly escalating events taking place in the [Israeli-]occupied territories.” The network urged the PA to revoke its decision and allow its employees to work freely in the West Bank without threats or intimidation from local officials. Furthermore, Al Jazeera highlighted that this decision “aligns” with prior actions taken by the Israeli government, which shut down Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah in September.
Israel defended its own actions by alleging that the channel incites and supports “terrorism.” Additionally, Al Jazeera was banned from operating within Israeli territory in May 2024 due to accusations of cooperating with Hamas militants, a claim the network has strongly denied.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
This decision was reported on Wednesday by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, which relayed statements from the PA’s ministries of culture, interior, and communications. They claimed that Al Jazeera’s coverage had “deceived” its audience and “incited division” in reporting on recent clashes in the Jenin refugee camp.
Al Jazeera had reported in December on a raid by PA forces targeting fighters from a splinter group known as the Jenin Brigades. The Jenin refugee camp, established in 1953, was created to provide shelter for Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes by Israelis. It has since developed a reputation as a stronghold of resistance against Israel and is estimated to house between 11,000 and 22,000 residents.
While the ban is said to be temporary, no specific end date has been provided. The decision will not impact Al Jazeera's operations in areas of Gaza that are under Hamas control, a group that has been in conflict with the PA since the mid-2000s. Hamas called on the PA to reverse its decision, asserting that it is “crucial to ensure the continuation of media coverage that exposes the occupation.”
In response to the suspension, Al Jazeera issued a strong condemnation, characterizing the move as “an attempt to dissuade the channel from covering the rapidly escalating events taking place in the [Israeli-]occupied territories.” The network urged the PA to revoke its decision and allow its employees to work freely in the West Bank without threats or intimidation from local officials. Furthermore, Al Jazeera highlighted that this decision “aligns” with prior actions taken by the Israeli government, which shut down Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah in September.
Israel defended its own actions by alleging that the channel incites and supports “terrorism.” Additionally, Al Jazeera was banned from operating within Israeli territory in May 2024 due to accusations of cooperating with Hamas militants, a claim the network has strongly denied.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
