Al Jazeera’s Operations in the West Bank Ends

An Al Jazeera news studio. X/ @The_NewArab

January 2, 2025 Hour: 12:35 pm

Since 2023, Al Jazeera has been one of the few media outlets with correspondents in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) decided to suspend the operations of the Qatari news network Al Jazeera in the West Bank.

“This action raises serious concerns about press freedom and democratic values in the region,” said the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, a group that also condemned Israel’s ban on Al Jazeera in April 2024.

The Palestinian authorities’ decision comes after nearly a month of clashes between PNA security forces and Palestinian militias aligned with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank, which Al Jazeera had been covering.

The Qatari network “has been a valuable source of information on the situation in the Palestinian territories, including Gaza,” said the Foreign Press Association, urging the PNA to reverse its suspension.

The Palestinian authority has suspended Al Jazeera’s operations in the occupied West Bank, which Al Jazeera denounced and said the PA’s decision is ‘in line with the [Israeli] occupation’s agenda against its network.’ pic.twitter.com/xKlY7Iklbj
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 2, 2025

The Palestinian Authority suspended broadcasts by the Qatari outlet accusing it of “inciting sedition” and stating that the suspension would remain in effect “until the network’s legal status is resolved.”

On Tuesday, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate accused Al Jazeera of spreading misinformation and called for an immediate halt to content that promotes hatred, discord, and incitement. However, some members of the syndicate believe the PNA has gone too far.

The PNA’s decision, reminiscent of the ‘Al Jazeera law’ passed by Israel to ban the network’s broadcasts, comes at a time when Fatah, the secular party controlling the PNA, and Hamas are negotiating mechanisms for governance in Gaza once the Israeli offensive concludes.

Al Jazeera is one of the few media outlets with correspondents in Gaza, where Israeli authorities, who control all access points, do not allow the entry of independent journalists.

Since October 2023, the Qatari news network has documented much of the Israeli bombings targeting hospitals, schools, and residences in Gaza.