Palestinian Authority blocks Al Jazeera

The Qatar-based network is accused of “stirring strife” in the West Bank.

The Al Jazeera news network has been temporarily banned from operating in the West Bank by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which claims that the broadcaster has played a role in inciting unrest and “stirring strife” there.

The decision was reported on Wednesday by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, which cited the PA’s culture, interior, and communications ministries as saying that the Qatar-based network’s coverage had “deceived” and “incited division” among its audience in reporting on recent clashes in Jenin refugee camp.

In December, Al Jazeera reported a raid by PA forces against a splinter group called Jenin Brigades fighters. Established in 1953, the Jenin refugee camp offered shelter to Palestinians who fled or were expelled by the Israelis from their homes and has since become known as a stronghold of resistance to Israel. According to various estimates, it houses between 11,000 and 22,000 people.

The Al Jazeera ban is said to be temporary, although no end date was announced. It will not affect the network’s operations in parts of Gaza controlled by Hamas, which has been at odds with the PA since the mid-2000s. Hamas called on the PA to reverse the decision, saying it is “crucial to ensure the continuation of media coverage that exposes the occupation.”

Al Jazeera also strongly condemned the suspension, describing it as “an attempt to dissuade the channel from covering the rapidly escalating events taking place in the [Israeli-]occupied territories.” It urged the PA to cancel the decision and allow its employees to work freely in the West Bank without any threats or intimidation from local officials. The network also noted that the decision “aligns” with previous action taken by the Israeli government, which closed Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah in September.

Israel explained its own crackdown by claiming that the channel incites and supports “terrorism.” Al Jazeera was also banned from operating on Israeli territory in May 2024 over accusations that it cooperates with Hamas militants. The network has strongly denied the allegations.