Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Rub: The decision regarding Al Jazeera is not a ban, but rather a temporary legal step until its situation is corrected

Al Jazeera: The closure decision is an attempt to deter us from covering events, and we demand that the authorities cancel it

Muhammad Al-Lahham: The Journalists Syndicate was not a party to the decision, and freedoms and ethics cannot be separated.

Dr. Ammar Al-Dweik: The decision to close Al Jazeera is a hasty step and a violation of the Basic Law

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ashqar: The channel’s performance and editorial policy do not justify restricting its freedom

Najoud Al-Qassem: Closing media stations in the digital age is no longer important

Firas Al-Tawil: The decision is a dangerous precedent that exposes journalistic work to unprecedented restrictions

Murad Al-Sabaa: The original purpose was to warn Al Jazeera Channel, not to close it suddenly

The decision issued by the competent ministerial committee regarding freezing the work of Al Jazeera Channel in the Palestinian territories received wide interaction, amidst the committee’s confirmation that it is a temporary legal procedure until the channel rectifies its situation, while some described it as a violation of freedom of the press and a restriction on the media in its coverage of Palestinian events.

While the official Palestinian authorities confirm that the decision came after a series of correspondence and comments sent to the channel regarding the need to adhere to professional standards and media ethics, the decision sparked controversy between supporters and opponents, especially in light of the tense atmosphere experienced by the Palestinian territories.

The competent ministerial committee, consisting of the Ministries of Culture, Interior, and Communications, decided on Wednesday evening to stop broadcasting and freeze all the work of Al Jazeera TV and its office in Palestine, and to temporarily freeze the work of all journalists, employees, crews, and channels affiliated with it, until its legal status is rectified, due to Al Jazeera TV violating the laws and regulations in force in Palestine.

According to what was published by the official news agency "Wafa", the decision came after Al Jazeera insisted on broadcasting incitement materials and reports that are misleading, incite sedition, tamper with and interfere in Palestinian internal affairs.

Legal and temporary measure, not a ban.

Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Rub, Director of the Government Communication Center, confirms that the decision by the Ministerial Committee to freeze the work of Al Jazeera Channel in the Palestinian territories is a legal and temporary measure, and not a ban as some are promoting.

Abu Al-Rab explains that the decision comes within the framework of regulating media work and ensuring that media institutions adhere to the standards and ethics of the profession, which has been applied to several local and foreign media outlets in the past.

Abu al-Rab points out that the decision does not mean cancelling Al Jazeera’s broadcast, as its broadcast continues, and its various platforms still exist and continue their coverage, but it aims to rectify its situation in accordance with Palestinian laws.

Abu al-Rub points out that all countries in the world have regulatory bodies that supervise the media, grant licenses and monitor media content. In the Palestinian context, the Basic Law regulates the work of local media outlets, but foreign media outlets need exceptional licenses to carry out their work. This procedure is not an exception, but was previously applied to other Palestinian and foreign media outlets, and many of these outlets worked to rectify their situations and resume their work.

Abu al-Rub explains that the Palestinian Basic Law, specifically Article 27, guarantees the freedom of the Palestinian media, but foreign media is subject to special legal controls, including licenses granted by the Ministries of Culture, Communications, and Interior. In the event of violations, these bodies have the right to temporarily freeze the license until the situation is corrected.

Incitement and push towards internal fighting

Regarding Al Jazeera, Abu Al-Rub explains that the Palestinian government has cooperated with the channel in many crises, including supporting it during the decision to close its office by the Israeli occupation, so its license was renewed without imposing fees or costs, and it is unacceptable for this to be met with incitement and pushing towards fighting and biased interference in Palestinian internal affairs.

Abu al-Rub asserts that Al Jazeera did not abide by the multiple warnings issued by the government and the Journalists Syndicate, especially with regard to the incitement and rhetorical mobilization adopted in its coverage, which caused tension in the Palestinian arena and increased division regarding the events in Jenin.

Abu al-Rub points out that Al Jazeera sometimes used artificial intelligence techniques, as well as producing dramatic scenes about the events in Jenin, in addition to highlighting and exaggerating events while concealing or flattening other events, which raised questions about the accuracy and credibility of what the channel presents. In addition, the media discourse directed at shedding light on internal Palestinian issues, such as the events in Jenin, without focusing on the crimes of the Israeli occupation and the war of extermination in Gaza, does not serve the Palestinian cause.

Abu al-Rab talks about the danger of being preoccupied with side issues that fuel internal divisions at the expense of exposing the crimes of the Israeli occupation in Gaza, saying: “It is unreasonable for us to be a people subjected to genocide in Gaza, and at the same time, internal issues are highlighted in an inciting and mobilizing manner. This type of discourse harms Palestinian national unity and serves the interests of the occupation.”

Abu al-Rub calls on the Arab media, including Al Jazeera, to focus on the crimes of the occupation and support Palestinian unity instead of fueling divisions, stressing that addressing internal issues is the responsibility of the local Palestinian media, which has a closer and more comprehensive vision of the nature of the internal situation.

Rejection of incitement against journalists and Al Jazeera correspondents

Regarding the incitement against journalists, including Al Jazeera correspondents and other journalists, Abu Al-Rab stresses his rejection of incitement in all its forms, whether it targets Al Jazeera correspondents or any other journalists.

“We must all abide by the law,” Abu al-Rab says. “Anyone who is subjected to incitement or harm, whether a journalist or an ordinary citizen, must resort to the competent authorities, such as the Journalists Syndicate or the Public Prosecution.”

Abu al-Rab points out that incitement should not reach the level of harming honor or calling for violence, stressing the importance of adhering to the ethics of the media profession and avoiding inflammatory discourse that deepens division and weakens Palestinian society.

Abu al-Rab calls on all media and community parties to focus on a unified discourse that enhances national unity and protects the Palestinian home front from the occupation’s plans.

Abu al-Rab says: “In light of the Israeli crimes and the war of extermination in Gaza, we must elevate our media discourse and rise above divisions so that we can expose the occupation and unite our ranks.”

Abu al-Rab stresses that the decision to freeze Al Jazeera’s license is temporary and legal, calling on the channel to correct its discourse and focus on supporting the Palestinian cause in a way that enhances the steadfastness and unity of the Palestinian people and exposes the crimes of the occupation to the world.

Al Jazeera: An attempt to hide the truth about the events in Jenin and its camp

For its part, Al Jazeera Network condemned in a statement the Palestinian Authority’s decision to freeze its work and coverage in the West Bank, and considered the decision an attempt to dissuade it from covering the escalating events taking place in the occupied territories.

Al Jazeera confirmed that the closure decision comes in the wake of an ongoing campaign of incitement and intimidation by parties sponsored by the Palestinian Authority against the network’s journalists, and that the decision to prevent its journalists from continuing their work is an attempt to hide the truth of events in the occupied territories, especially in Jenin and its camp.

The network expressed its surprise at this step, noting that it comes amid the war on Gaza and the occupation's targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists, holding the Palestinian Authority fully responsible for the safety and security of all network employees in the West Bank.

Al Jazeera Network called on the Palestinian Authority to immediately cancel the decision and allow its teams to cover the West Bank freely without intimidation, noting that the Authority’s decision will not stop the network’s commitment to continue covering events and developments in the West Bank with complete professionalism.

Coverage lacking objectivity, integrity and neutrality

In turn, the member of the General Secretariat of the Journalists Syndicate and head of its Public Freedoms Committee, Muhammad Al-Lahham, confirms that the Syndicate expressed its clear position regarding Al Jazeera Network’s coverage of internal Palestinian affairs, pointing out that the network violated the professional and ethical rules adopted in journalistic work, including its own blog.

Al-Lahham explains that Al Jazeera’s coverage lacks objectivity, integrity and neutrality, which contributes to deepening divisions and fragmentation in the Palestinian situation as a result of its clear editorial alignment, in addition to the posts and tweets of some of its employees that have a partisan character.

Al-Lahham stresses that the union was not a party to the decision taken by the Palestinian Ministerial Committee to temporarily stop Al Jazeera broadcasting in the Palestinian territories.

Al-Lahham said: “We were not consulted or informed about this decision before it was announced, and the union has not yet received any official complaint from Al Jazeera Network regarding the government action taken against it.”

Al-Lahham stresses that the Syndicate is committed to the principle of the rule of law and the preservation of public freedoms, whether for journalists or Palestinian society, stressing that these commitments must be consistent with maintaining professional ethics to ensure the quality of news that reaches the public.

There is no separation between freedoms and professional ethics.

Al-Lahham says: “Freedoms and professional ethics cannot be separated. They are two parts that do not conflict, but rather must be in complete harmony.”

Al-Lahham believes that Al Jazeera Network did not adhere to achieving this balance in its coverage of internal Palestinian affairs, which led to the exacerbation of divisions and the incitement of internal fighting by adopting a systematic editorial policy in which judgments of treason are issued against genuine groups of the Palestinian national fabric.

Al-Lahham points out that Al Jazeera had previously apologized to the Israelis for a report it broadcasted about the Holocaust, and two of its employees were suspended as a result. Al-Lahham asks: “If Al Jazeera apologized for a report about the Holocaust, why doesn’t it apologize for tampering with the internal affairs of Palestine and a number of other Arab countries?”

Editorial policies that deepen internal crises

Al-Lahham confirms that the union contacted Al Jazeera Network before the Ministerial Committee’s decision was issued, and sent several statements and letters calling on it to control the quality of its news and amend its editorial policy, but these calls were met with a lack of response from the network, which continued with its editorial policies, which he described as “deepening internal crises.”

Al-Lahham stressed that the union demands that the government committee that issued the decision to freeze the work of Al Jazeera Network reverse its decision and that Al Jazeera adhere to the rules and principles of sound news reporting.

Al-Lahham confirms that the union is ready to deal with the issue legally if Al Jazeera files an official complaint, saying: “We have specialized legal teams ready to go to the judiciary or any relevant body to address this file in a way that serves the public interest and preserves public freedoms within the framework of the law and professional ethics.”

Al-Dweik calls on the Authority to reverse the decision

As for the Director General of the Independent Commission for Human Rights (the Board of Grievances), Dr. Ammar Dweik, he said that the Palestinian government’s decision to stop broadcasting Al Jazeera and temporarily freeze its work is a “hasty” step that constitutes a clear violation of the Palestinian Basic Law. The original decision was to go to court to address the issue, not to take an administrative decision.

Al-Duwaik calls on the government to retract the decision and withdraw it immediately, demanding that proper legal procedures be followed in dealing with the media.

Al-Duwaik explains that Article 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law clearly states that any restriction or suspension of the work of any media outlet must be carried out by a judicial ruling, and not through an administrative decision issued by the government.

“The government based its decision on the laws related to licensing satellite and terrestrial stations, which require the media to adhere to objectivity and accuracy in coverage,” Al-Duwaik said. “However, the matter should have been referred to the judiciary if there were violations, rather than taking an administrative decision.”

Al-Duwaik said that the government believes that Al Jazeera violated the standards of objectivity and accuracy, which prompted it to take this measure, adding, "However, the ideal solution would have required resorting to the court, or opening a direct dialogue with the channel to present observations related to the content of its media coverage, and demanding that it respond publicly to these observations."

Al-Duwaik confirms that the Independent Commission for Human Rights is currently studying the decision in consultation with the Journalists Syndicate to reach a practical solution and arrive at a solution that balances respect for the law and protection of freedom of the press.

A decision that contradicts the Basic Law and Palestine's international obligations

For his part, former judge and lawyer Dr. Ahmed Al-Ashqar believes that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to close Al Jazeera and temporarily freeze its operations contradicts the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law, the Press and Publications Law, and the system for licensing television broadcasting channels, in addition to Palestine’s international obligations related to freedom of the media.

Al-Ashqar describes the decision as “illegally void” because it was not issued based on a judicial ruling, as stipulated in Article 27 of the Palestinian Basic Law, which provides clear protection for media freedoms. It stipulates that any restriction on the work of the media must be based on a judicial ruling issued by a competent court, and not based on administrative decisions issued by executive authorities.

Al-Ashqar says: “Palestinian law clearly outlines the mechanisms for resorting to the judiciary when any media outlet violates the professional ethics stipulated in the law. If the authority sees that there are violations, the correct legal path is to submit a request to the competent judicial authority, while granting the media outlet the right to appeal the decision before the judiciary.”

The current decision lacks any legal basis.

Al-Ashqar points out that the current decision lacks any legal basis, stressing that the Attorney General’s letter addressed to Al Jazeera was limited to notifying the administrative decision issued by the Minister of Culture, based on the recommendation of a three-member committee, without the existence of an enforceable judicial ruling, as this procedure is marred by a serious defect in jurisdiction.

Al-Ashqar stresses that Al Jazeera’s performance and editorial policy do not justify an administrative decision restricting its media freedom.

Al-Ashqar points out that such decisions reflect a failure to adhere to legal and international standards related to freedom of the press.

Ashqar says: “Closing Al Jazeera in this way harms Palestine’s reputation as a country committed to respecting human rights and public freedoms, especially in light of its international obligations that emphasize freedom of the media as a fundamental part of human rights.”

Al-Ashqar calls for the need to correct the course by resorting to the judiciary in any dispute related to the media, stressing the importance of preserving the rule of law and protecting media freedoms to ensure a democratic environment that respects the basic rights of all.

Historically tense relationship between the authority and the island

For her part, journalist Nujoud Al-Qassem says that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to stop broadcasting Al Jazeera and temporarily freeze its work comes in the context of a history of tension between the two parties, extending back to 2007, when criticism began to be directed at the channel by the Authority and the Fatah movement on the grounds that it interfered in internal Palestinian affairs and was biased in favor of one party over the other.

Al-Qassem added: "Despite this, many officials in the Authority and the Fatah movement were constantly appearing on the channel's screen, which reflects the complexity of the relationship between the two sides."

Al-Qassem explains that this tension worsened after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, as the authority’s criticism of the channel’s coverage, which it considered biased and controversial, increased.

Al-Qassem points out that last year witnessed an escalation in tensions, as the Authority sent official letters of protest to Al Jazeera Channel objecting to its coverage of the events in Jenin, and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also expressed its rejection of the channel’s editorial policy through another letter of protest.

Al-Qassem points out that during the last few years, the Authority has sent letters of protest to Al Jazeera demanding that it cover Palestinian events objectively and professionally, but what is required is not only Al Jazeera but also many media outlets to cover the Palestinian file objectively, and the Palestinian media itself uses certain terms that serve its interests and political orientations.

We need a professional Palestinian media that presents the facts.

Al-Qassem says: “Here emerges the need for a professional Palestinian media that presents the facts as they are, discusses them neutrally, and respects the minds of the masses. Without that, the Palestinian arena will remain open to various political agendas.”

Al-Qassem believes that Al Jazeera's coverage of events in Jenin, especially the security campaign led by the Palestinian security services there, was a major factor in the recent decision.

Al-Qassem says: “The authority considered some of the material broadcast by the channel through its various platforms to be misleading and incite sedition, in addition to its interference in Palestinian internal affairs. However, it must be noted that every media outlet has its own agenda, and Al Jazeera is no exception, as it relies in its coverage on selective focus in what serves its policies and goals. This is the case with the media and its platforms, as each outlet operates according to its editorial policy.”

Al-Qassem points out that the complex Palestinian reality requires professional media that presents facts with credibility, far from incitement and hate speech. However, Al-Qassem believes that most media outlets cover events in a manner that suits their interests and vision.

Al-Qassem points out that the decision to stop broadcasting Al Jazeera was based, according to the authority, on Palestinian laws that require the media to adhere to accuracy and integrity and avoid publishing anything that incites fanaticism and hatred.

Al-Qassim stresses that closing media stations in the digital age is no longer a very important measure, given the technological development and the enormous broadcasting and dissemination capabilities that modern media possess.

Al-Qassem calls for the need to focus on enhancing media professionalism in Palestine, noting that the current stage requires addressing internal issues with a sense of responsibility, away from media escalation that deepens divisions.

Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of any democratic system.

Journalist Firas Al-Tawil believes that the decision to stop broadcasting Al Jazeera and temporarily freeze its operations represents a clear violation of the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees freedom of the media and expression, noting that this decision is a dangerous precedent that threatens the work and independence of journalists.

Al-Tawil stresses that such a step is not only illegal, but also exposes the journalistic work system to unprecedented restrictions, and deprives the public of its basic right to access information.

Al-Tawil says: “Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of any democratic system, and any infringement on it is a direct threat to the media’s role in holding the authorities accountable and monitoring them.”

Al-Tawil believes that gagging and restricting the media only leads to strengthening media and political isolation, which harms the public interest and weakens confidence in institutions.

Al-Tawil stresses that media blockades in the digital age have lost their effectiveness, as digital platforms and modern means provide multiple options for accessing information.

“At a time when information is available to everyone online, these measures seem useless and only contribute to distorting the image of the parties that adopt them, whether locally or internationally,” Al-Tawil says.

Al-Tawil stresses that “journalism is not just a profession, but rather the right of society to have its voice heard and for light to be shed on issues that directly affect it.”

Ensuring the public's right to access information

Al-Tawil stresses that the decision contradicts the democratic values advocated by Palestinian law, and sets a precedent that may be used to justify additional restrictions on the media in the future.

Al-Tawil calls on journalists and media institutions to stand together in the face of these decisions that threaten the future of the profession.

“We must reject these measures not only to protect our rights as journalists, but also to ensure the public’s right to access information in the way they choose,” Al-Tawil said.

Al-Tawil warns that such decisions weaken Palestine's image before the international community and contradict its commitments to public freedoms.

“The battle for media freedom is not just the battle of journalists, but the battle of every citizen who defends his right to know the truth,” Al-Tawil says.

A decision not based on professional media justifications

Journalist Murad Al-Sabaa said that the Palestinian Authority’s decision to stop broadcasting and freeze the work of Al Jazeera lacks legal and professional foundations, attributing the main reason behind the decision to the Authority’s view of Al Jazeera as a media outlet with a partisan character linked to Qatari support for Hamas.

Al-Sabaa says: “I do not believe that the decision regarding Al Jazeera is based on professional media justifications related to incitement or interference in internal Palestinian affairs. The matter seems closer to a factional and partisan decision than a political one.”

Al-Sabaa points out that the Palestinian Basic Law guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, but Al-Sabaa questions the extent of real commitment to this law in light of the recent decision. Al-Sabaa says: “Assuming that there is a Basic Law that is being implemented, this decision violates its principles, as no charge of incitement against Al Jazeera has been clearly proven. Incitement here is a vague concept, and the authority should have provided advance warning if it detected inciting media material, and then issued a judicial decision with a specific period based on that, but what happened was a hasty decision taken by the tripartite ministerial committee.”

Al-Sabaa stressed that the decision will have a negative impact on the image of the Palestinian Authority, both domestically and internationally.

The decision will show the authority as an entity that suppresses freedom of expression.

He added: "This decision will affect the image of the Authority as an entity that suppresses freedom of opinion and expression, and shows that the Palestinians are not united in their political and media vision, and this image may reduce international support for the Palestinian cause, as the situation will be interpreted as an internal conflict between parties that do not agree."

Regarding the authority’s justification for the decision, which is that it aims to “correct the legal status” of the channel, Al-Sabaa describes this justification as “weak and baseless.”

Al-Sabaa says: “Al Jazeera has been operating in Palestine since its establishment, and renews its licenses annually according to the procedures in place. If there are any legal shortcomings, it is natural for the competent authorities to warn the channel and not close it suddenly.”

Al-Sabaa stressed that addressing this issue required following a clear and transparent legal path, noting that ill-considered measures weaken the credibility of Palestinian political discourse and reinforce internal division.

Al-Sabaa stresses the importance of adhering to media freedom as a fundamental pillar of any democratic system, warning that such decisions may deepen the state of Palestinian political and media fragmentation.