The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today asked the Palestinian Authority to lift the decision to suspend the broadcasting and activities of the Qatari television network Al Jazeera in the Palestinian Territories.
“We are deeply concerned about the suspension by the Palestinian Authority of the activities and (i.e. work) of Al Jazeera reporters in the West Bank, in the context of a disturbing trend of suppression of freedom of opinion and expression in the occupied Palestinian territories,” he stressed the High Commission with a posting on X.
“We urge the Palestinian Authority (PA) to reverse its decision and respect its obligations under international law,” he added.
The Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-government in the West Bank, territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
The charges against Al Jazeera
Last night the Palestinian Authority announced the suspension of Al Jazeera, accusing the network of “incitement to rebellion” and “interference” in PA affairs.
“The relevant ministerial committee, consisting of the ministries of culture, interior and communications, decided to suspend the broadcast and freeze all activities of the Al Jazeera channel and its office in Palestine,” according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
As reported, the ministerial committee took this decision due to Al Jazeera’s transmission of misleading publications, projection of material aimed at inciting and causing controversy.
The decision is not expected to apply to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Authority does not exercise authority.
A standoff between Al Jazeera and the PA erupted earlier in December over its coverage of clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.
Fatah, the Palestinian faction that controls the Palestinian Authority, condemned the Qatari network, which covered the clashes in Jenin extensively, saying Al Jazeera was sowing division in “our Arab homeland in general and Palestine in particular.” He encouraged Palestinians not to cooperate with the network.
“Al Jazeera successfully maintained its professionalism throughout its coverage of the events unfolding in Jenin,” the network said.
Israel closed Al Jazeera’s offices on its soil in May, banning its operations, saying the network posed a threat to national security. In September he also ordered the network’s office in Ramallah closed for 45 days after intelligence agencies assessed that the facility was being used to support terrorist activities.
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