The Palestinian Authority announced the removal of its ban on Al Jazeera in the West Bank, previously enforced due to claims of inciting unrest.
Palestinian Authority Revokes Al Jazeera Ban in West Bank
Palestinian Authority Revokes Al Jazeera Ban in West Bank
The Palestinian Authority lifts a ban on Al Jazeera that was imposed earlier this year amid accusations of incitement.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) announced on Monday evening that it would repeal the ban on Al Jazeera in the West Bank, which had been in place since January. The PA initially accused the broadcaster of "inciting sedition" and meddling in internal Palestinian affairs. The indefinite ban was implemented by PA attorney general Akram Khatib, who claimed it would remain until Al Jazeera corrected its alleged legal status, although no specific allegations were detailed.
Khatib informed The New York Times that the PA's decision to lift the ban would be formalized through a court order on the following Tuesday. Despite this development, he refrained from elaborating on any changes leading to the decision. The Palestinian Authority oversees various regions of the West Bank, including major Palestinian cities, and has had a contentious relationship with Al Jazeera, which is funded by Qatar. The PA is largely influenced by the secular Fatah party, which accuses Al Jazeera of favoring Hamas—a rival faction that seized control of Gaza from Fatah in 2007.
The ban coincided with a rare military operation in Jenin by the PA to suppress armed groups linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Critics, including human rights organizations, have condemned President Mahmoud Abbas's government for suppressing dissent and intimidating those who oppose its policies. In response to the ban, Al Jazeera argued that the PA was attempting to obscure the realities of life in the occupied territories.
Previously, similar actions against Al Jazeera were seen from Israeli authorities, including a shutdown order last May and military operations targeting their offices in Ramallah. Tensions between Israel and Al Jazeera escalated during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Unlike other media outlets blocked from entering Gaza, Al Jazeera was able to report extensively on the humanitarian crisis and violence afflicting residents. The broadcaster has accused Israel of attempting to hide these realities, while Israel claims that it supports Hamas and that some Al Jazeera journalists have affiliations with militant groups.
Walid al-Omari, Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Ramallah, stated that although the offices will not reopen immediately due to prior Israeli military action, journalists are now free to operate in the West Bank without fear of persecution from the PA.
Khatib informed The New York Times that the PA's decision to lift the ban would be formalized through a court order on the following Tuesday. Despite this development, he refrained from elaborating on any changes leading to the decision. The Palestinian Authority oversees various regions of the West Bank, including major Palestinian cities, and has had a contentious relationship with Al Jazeera, which is funded by Qatar. The PA is largely influenced by the secular Fatah party, which accuses Al Jazeera of favoring Hamas—a rival faction that seized control of Gaza from Fatah in 2007.
The ban coincided with a rare military operation in Jenin by the PA to suppress armed groups linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Critics, including human rights organizations, have condemned President Mahmoud Abbas's government for suppressing dissent and intimidating those who oppose its policies. In response to the ban, Al Jazeera argued that the PA was attempting to obscure the realities of life in the occupied territories.
Previously, similar actions against Al Jazeera were seen from Israeli authorities, including a shutdown order last May and military operations targeting their offices in Ramallah. Tensions between Israel and Al Jazeera escalated during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Unlike other media outlets blocked from entering Gaza, Al Jazeera was able to report extensively on the humanitarian crisis and violence afflicting residents. The broadcaster has accused Israel of attempting to hide these realities, while Israel claims that it supports Hamas and that some Al Jazeera journalists have affiliations with militant groups.
Walid al-Omari, Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Ramallah, stated that although the offices will not reopen immediately due to prior Israeli military action, journalists are now free to operate in the West Bank without fear of persecution from the PA.
