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Al Jazeera Condemns Palestinian Authority’s Closure of West Bank Office
January 2, 2025
January 2, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Journalists in Gaza strongly condemned the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) suspension of Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Bank, calling it a direct attack on press freedom. The PA ordered the closure of the network’s Ramallah bureau and revoked its license, accusing it of incitement and threatening civil peace, particularly about its coverage of recent military operations in Jenin.
Palestinian journalists working in Gaza have labeled the decision a “crime against journalism.” Freelance reporter Ikhlas al-Qarnawi, speaking from Deir el-Balah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, said the ban silences critical voices at a time when the world needs to hear them most. Veteran photojournalist Yousef Hassouna warned the move would severely damage independent media and further endanger journalists who already face life-threatening risks on the ground.
The ban comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent and journalism, with the PA echoing the Israeli government’s long-standing hostility toward Al Jazeera. Israel previously banned the network, raided its West Bank offices, and accused it of biased coverage. Press freedom advocates argue that the PA’s decision aligns it with governments that have historically restricted independent reporting, including Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf states.
Media watchdogs such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have condemned the ban and called for its immediate reversal. The United Nations Human Rights Office also urged the PA to respect media freedom and allow Al Jazeera to resume operations.
Critics argue that the shutdown is not about incitement, but about silencing a network that holds power to account, especially during times of heightened military activity and political tension. Al Jazeera remains one of the few major outlets providing extensive coverage of Palestinian issues from within Gaza and the West Bank.
As journalists continue to face threats, killings, and censorship, the PA’s move is seen not just as a bureaucratic decision, but as a dangerous escalation against independent reporting in a region where truthful storytelling is already under siege.
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