The Palestinian Authority (PA) has suspended broadcasts by Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera, accusing it of inciting violence and promoting Israeli practices. The move comes amid a long-standing feud with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Al Jazeera is already banned from broadcasting in Israel due to its coverage of the occupied West Bank. In September, Israeli forces raided the network’s office in Ramallah, claiming it was used to incite terror. The PA has now issued a 45-day closure order for the office, which has been condemned by press freedom groups.
The PA claims that Al Jazeera is biased and promotes violence, with several journalists filing complaints against the network over its coverage. However, Al Jazeera has denied these allegations, saying it aligns with Israeli occupation practices targeting its media teams.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad have also criticized the decision, calling it a bid to silence opposition voices and suppress public rights and freedoms. Tensions between Al Jazeera and the Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas have risen in recent weeks over coverage of clashes in Jenin.
The PA’s decision is seen as a move to deter Al Jazeera from covering escalating events in the occupied Palestinian territories, including deadly clashes between security forces and militants in Jenin.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/01/02/palestinian-authority-suspends-al-jazeera-incite-terror