The move against Al Jazeera by the Palestinian Authority mirrors an order by Israel last September. AFP
The move against Al Jazeera by the Palestinian Authority mirrors an order by Israel last September. AFP
The move against Al Jazeera by the Palestinian Authority mirrors an order by Israel last September. AFP
The move against Al Jazeera by the Palestinian Authority mirrors an order by Israel last September. AFP

Palestinian Authority closes Al Jazeera offices in West Bank, accusing it of 'incitement'


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

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The Palestinian Authority has ordered Al Jazeera to close its office in the occupied West Bank, accusing the broadcaster of disseminating “inciteful materials” and “interfering in Palestinian internal affairs”.

The order freezes the Qatar-based network's journalists, crew and affiliates from operating, the Palestinian Authority's interior, culture and communications ministries said.

Al Jazeera has been covering a siege by Palestinian security forces on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, which started on December 5. The Palestinian Authority says it is cracking down on “outlaws” who have outstanding warrants against them including for murder, theft and destruction of civilian and military infrastructure.

But it has also accused Al Jazeera of being a part of a campaign inflaming tensions between civilians and officials by promoting the idea that the Palestinian Authority is attempting to repress legitimate resistance groups, not criminals as it claims.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesman for the ruling Fatah party, Abdulfattah Al Dawleh, accused Al Jazeera of adopting a “one-sided narrative” on Jenin and “raising doubts” about the intentions behind the Palestinian Authority's operations there.

Journalist Shatha Al Sabbagh, whose family claims she was shot dead by Palestinian security forces in the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday. Courtesy: Al Sabbagh family
Journalist Shatha Al Sabbagh, whose family claims she was shot dead by Palestinian security forces in the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday. Courtesy: Al Sabbagh family

The family of a 21-year-old journalist killed in the Jenin camp on Saturday has accused the Palestinian Authority of targeting her over her reporting on the siege. On the day of her death, Shatha Al Sabbagh had published a report in which a resident said security forces had set his home on fire and injured his son.

On Monday, the journalist's mother took part in an on-camera Al Jazeera exchange with Palestinian security forces spokesman Brig Gen Anwar Rajab, who ended up pulling out of the segment on air. Before his screen went black, Brig Gen Rajab said the network had not informed him Ms Al Sabbagh's mother would be included. Two days later, the order came to close the Al Jazeera offices.

Critics accused the Palestinian Authority of stifling free speech, particularly Article 19 of the Basic Law, which stipulates that freedom of opinion in the occupied Palestinian territories “shall not be infringed upon”.

Television images showing Palestinian officials delivering a handwritten order to the broadcaster's West Bank offices were reminiscent of scenes in September, when Israeli soldiers handed a similar order to the chief of Al Jazeera's bureau in Ramallah, demanding his office closed and that those inside left.

In a statement, Al Jazeera said the Palestinian Authority's decision was “in line” with the order made by Israel last year. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the closure order and urged the Palestinian Authority to reverse its decision. “Governments resort to censoring news outlets when they have something to hide,” said the committee's chief executive Jodie Ginsberg.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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BIO

Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.

Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.

Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.

Favourite colour: Black.

Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
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Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
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Updated: January 02, 2025, 2:42 PM