UN human rights office demands Palestinian authority reverse Al Jazeera ban in West Bank

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to restore the operation of Al Jazeera and adhere to its international legal obligations.

In a post on social media platform X, the OHCHR expressed concern over the PNA's suspension of the Qatari news channel and its reporters in the West Bank, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media sources.

The OHCHR called on the PNA to reconsider its actions and fulfil its duties under international law.

This call follows the PNA's recent decision to suspend Al Jazeera's broadcasting in Palestine. The channel had been covering tensions between Palestinian security forces and supporters of radical movements in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Al Jazeera's coverage included frequent appearances by representatives of Hamas, critical of the PNA and calling for anti-government protests in territories under its control.

The suspension of Al Jazeera comes after months of rising tensions in the region, with the Palestinian Authority accusing the broadcaster of disseminating "inciting material" and causing division. The PNA also criticized Al Jazeera for "deceptive" reporting.

Previously, the PNA had already blocked Al Jazeera’s coverage in Jenin, a region where clashes between Palestinian security forces and armed groups linked to Hamas have intensified. Al Jazeera responded by accusing the PNA of trying to suppress the truth about developments in the occupied territories, especially in Jenin and its refugee camps.

In a statement issued on January 2, Al Jazeera expressed shock over the decision and called for its reversal. The network also emphasized that the Palestinian Authority is responsible for the safety and security of its staff in the West Bank.

The length of the suspension remains uncertain. This latest setback for Al Jazeera follows the recent closure of its office in the West Bank by Israeli troops, who seized equipment and ordered the bureau to shut down.

By Tamilla Hasanova