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| Al-Jazeera has an office in Ramallah | Photo: AFP |
The Palestinian Authority has ordered the temporary suspension of Qatar-based Al Jazeera's broadcasts in Palestine, accusing it of broadcasting "provocative content." The order was issued on Wednesday.
"A special ministerial committee comprising the ministries of culture, interior, and communications has decided to suspend the broadcast of the Al-Jazeera channel and all activities of its office in Palestine," the Fatah-controlled West Bank news agency Wafa reported.
The report also said that the decision was taken against Al-Jazeera for broadcasting provocative content and reports on internal Palestinian affairs.
Al Jazeera was contacted by AFP regarding this matter, and the outlet confirmed that it had received an order to close its office in Ramallah on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera aired footage on Wednesday that appeared to show Palestinian security officers entering Al Jazeera's offices in Ramallah and handing over a shutdown order.
However, Al Jazeera has not yet responded to this move by the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian independence-seeking armed organization Hamas has already condemned the decision to close Al-Jazeera.
"This decision is consistent with the recent arbitrary steps taken by the Palestinian Authority to curtail the rights and freedoms of the people and to further tighten security restrictions on the population," Hamas said in a statement.
Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority to immediately reverse the decision. The statement added, "It is extremely important to ensure the continuity of broadcasting of media outlets that report on the occupation and support the determination of our people."
Hamas's ally in the Gaza Strip, Islamic Jihad, also criticized the decision.
Tensions have increased in recent weeks between Doha-based Al-Jazeera and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah after the outlet reported on clashes between Palestinian security forces and members of an armed group in Jenin.
In late December, Al Jazeera condemned Fatah, saying the organization had carried out a "provocative campaign" against them in some areas of the occupied West Bank.
At the time, Al Jazeera said in a statement, "The campaign was launched after the network (Al Jazeera) reported on the clashes between Palestinian security forces and Jenin resistance fighters. Al Jazeera ensured that all voices, including spokespersons for the resistance fighters and security forces, were present during the reporting of the tragic events in Jenin."
Major clashes have been taking place between the two sides since early December following the arrest of several armed fighters by the Palestinian Security Forces, which have limited control over the West Bank.
Members of the Jenin Battalion, most of whom are affiliated with either Islamic Jihad or Hamas, are also fighting security forces.