The Palestinian Authority (PA) has temporarily suspended Al Jazeera’s operations in the occupied West Bank, citing allegations of broadcasting “inciting material,” according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa.
A ministerial committee comprising the culture, interior, and communications ministries decided to halt the broadcaster’s work, accusing it of disseminating “deceiving and divisive reports,” Wafa reported on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera Media Network has not yet commented on the decision.
Background of the Ban
The move follows a decision by Fatah, the dominant faction in the PA, to prohibit Al Jazeera from reporting in Jenin, a northern West Bank governorate, on December 24. The faction accused the broadcaster of promoting division in Palestine and beyond, urging Palestinians to boycott the network.
Fatah’s actions were tied to Al Jazeera’s coverage of clashes between Palestinian security forces and armed groups in Jenin. The broadcaster had reported on rising tensions, with security raids reportedly killing several Palestinians in recent weeks.
In response to Fatah’s accusations, Al Jazeera criticized what it called an “incitement campaign” against its network and journalists for their reporting on the clashes.
Reactions to the Suspension
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, condemned the suspension, calling it a “big mistake” and urging the PA to reverse its decision.
“I think Palestinians will be astonished by this decision,” Barghouti said in an interview with Al Jazeera from Ramallah. “If the PA has an issue with Al Jazeera, it should discuss it directly. Al Jazeera has been instrumental in exposing crimes against Palestinians and promoting the Palestinian cause.”
Barghouti also emphasized that the suspension raised concerns about press freedom.
The PA has intensified security operations in Jenin as part of “Operation Protect the Homeland,” which has led to clashes with armed groups. The raids, separate from Israeli operations, have resulted in the deaths of several civilians, PA soldiers, and fighters, including Yazid Ja’ayseh, commander of the Jenin Brigades.
These crackdowns have sparked criticism of the PA, with groups like the Popular Resistance Committees accusing it of aligning with Israeli interests.
The suspension also follows Israeli forces’ September raid on Al Jazeera’s bureau in Ramallah, where the PA is based, and a military order to shut down the outlet’s operations.
Critics argue the PA’s decision to suspend Al Jazeera echoes broader efforts to suppress critical media coverage, further fueling tensions within the occupied territories.
