On Wednesday, January 1, Palestinian police issued a warrant to Al-Jazeera journalists to close the editorial office in Ramallah.
The channel accused the administration of Mahmoud Abbas of “trying to hide the truth about the events in Jenin,” where Palestinian security forces are conducting a large-scale anti-terrorist operation, as well as collaborating with the “occupation authorities.”
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the National Initiative party and considered one of the PA’s moderate politicians, said the Al Jazeera ban would not benefit anyone, “including those who made the decision.” According to him, the channel most fully covers the struggle and resistance of the Palestinian people, and also talks about the “crimes of Israel.”
Hamas also issued a statement condemning Ramallah’s decision.
On December 23, the Fatah movement announced a ban on employees of the Al-Jazeera television channel working in the Arab settlements of Judea and Samaria. The reason for this was the coverage of the anti-terrorist operation of the Palestinian police in Jenin: Fatah accuses Al-Jazeera of inciting the conflict and incitement.