‘Crime against journalism’: Gaza journalists condemn ban on Al Jazeera in PA | News about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Deir el-Balah, Gaza – Journalists gathered at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital in Gaza expressed anger and confusion at the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) decision to close Al Jazeera’s office in the occupied West Bank.

“Closing a major media house like Al Jazeera is a crime against journalism,” said freelance journalist Ikhlas al-Qarnawi.

“Al Jazeera’s reports have documented Israeli crimes against Palestinians, particularly during the ongoing genocide,” a 28-year-old journalist told Al Jazeera in the hospital, the Belt’s most reliable internet link for gathering stories.

On Wednesday, the PA temporarily suspended Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank for what it described as broadcasting “inciting material and reports that were misleading and fueled conflict” in the country.

The decision came after Fatah, the Palestinian faction that dominates the PA, banned Al Jazeera from reporting from Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya provinces in the occupied West Bank, citing the coverage of clashes between Palestinian security forces and Palestinian armed groups in the area.

Al Jazeera criticized the PA bansaying the move was “in line with [Israeli] occupation actions against their staff”.

‘Blurring the truth’

Since the beginning of the war, around 150 journalists have worked from press tents in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, for 20 national, international and Arab media.

Journalists, including those from Al Jazeera, were forced to work from hospitals after their headquarters and media offices were destroyed.

Al-Aqsa TV correspondent Mohammed Issa said from the hospital that the ban on the PA is in violation of international laws guaranteeing journalistic freedom and could further endanger journalists.

“The PA’s decision obscures the truth and undermines the Palestinian narrative, especially a leading network like Al Jazeera,” Issa said, adding that the ban reinforces the Israeli narrative that “justifies the targeting of Palestinian journalists.”

“All media workers in Gaza reject this decision that silences the largest Arab and global media outlet during critical times in years.”

Wafaa Hajjaj, a freelance journalist who works for TRT and Sahat, said the ban made her both “sad” and “disappointed”.

“At a time when Israel is deliberately targeting and killing… journalists in Gaza, with our Jazeera colleagues at the helm, without international or institutional protection, the PA’s move in the West Bank comes to make the situation worse,” Hajjaj said as she and her the team entered the hospital to talk to the wounded.

Israel has killed at least 217 journalists and media workers in Gaza since the beginning of their war against Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Four of them were Al Jazeera journalists: Samer Abudaqa, Hamza al-Dahdouh, Ismail al-Ghoul and Ahmed al-Louh.

‘Believe that Al Jazeera will persevere’

Although frustrated, Hajjaj told Al Jazeera she hoped the PA would drop the ban “as soon as possible”.

“I believe that Al Jazeera will persevere despite all the sanctions, as it has done for years.”

Yousef Hassouna, a photojournalist with 22 years of experience, also criticized the shutdown of Al Jazeera, as well as “any other media” targeted by such bans.

“This is an offense against all of us Palestinian journalists,” he said, adding that Al Jazeera was an “essential platform” covering Israel’s war on Gaza.

“Now more than ever, we Palestinian journalists need international support and protection, not restrictions or restrictions,” Hassouna said.

‘Critical Errors’

Ismail al-Thawabtah, a spokesman for the government’s media office in Gaza, said the Palestinian Authority had made two serious mistakes in the past few weeks.

“First: attack on Jenin and the resulting military conflict with our honorable Palestinian people and resistance forces, and second: the closure of Al Jazeera’s offices,” he said, adding that the move represented a “serious violation of press freedom.”

Al-Thawabtah said both incidents require the PA to conduct a comprehensive review of policies and positions in line with supreme national interests and respect for the rights of our Palestinian people and their basic freedoms.

As for the journalists gathered at Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital, they were united in their call for the ban to be lifted.

“As journalists, we are absolutely against it. I hope immediate action will be taken to stop this decision.” freelance journalist al-Qarnawi said, adding that the ban does not only harm journalists.

“Our Palestinian people are the biggest losers.”