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March 15, 2025 – Palestine/Israel/USA/Europe –
The United States and European Union jointly announced the suspension of Al-Aqsa TV from all satellite networks, a move that has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian groups and media organizations. The decision includes severe financial penalties and potential legal actions against satellite providers that continue to broadcast the channel, which is affiliated with Hamas.
Hamas has denounced the ban as a blatant violation of media freedom and an attempt to suppress the Palestinian narrative. The group asserts that the decision is part of a broader campaign to silence Palestinian voices and obstruct the dissemination of information about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and other groups have expressed solidarity with Al-Aqsa TV, condemning the move as a direct attack on free Palestinian media. They argue that the suspension aligns with Israeli efforts to suppress media that expose the occupation’s actions and restricts international coverage of events in Gaza.
The Gaza Media Office has also criticized the decision, labeling it a blatant assault on public freedoms and a systematic suppression of the Palestinian narrative. The office calls for the reversal of the decision, citing violations of international laws and resolutions.
Al-Aqsa TV, established in 2006, has been a significant source of information for Palestinians, providing news, religious programming, and content reflecting the group’s perspectives. The channel has faced previous challenges, including being designated by Israel as a terrorist organization and having its broadcasts interrupted by satellite providers under pressure from Western governments.
This recent action by the U.S. and EU underscores ongoing tensions over media freedom and the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The decision has drawn criticism from various international observers who view it as an infringement on press freedom and an attempt to control the narrative surrounding the situation in Gaza.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/palestinians-slam-us-european-decision-block-al-aqsa-tv
EU and US Block Al-Aqsa TV in ‘Blatant Violation’ of Media Freedom
