Independent human rights experts have called on Palestinian authorities to revoke their controversial ban on Al Jazeera, urging them to safeguard press freedom and ensure that journalists can operate freely in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

The call comes after a Ramallah court ordered the closure of several Al Jazeera websites on January 5, following a suspension of the broadcaster's operations by the Palestinian Attorney-General.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Al Jazeera of disseminating "inciting material" and interfering in Palestinian internal affairs. The ban, enforced on January 1, prohibits Al Jazeera's broadcasts and affects its journalists and staff across the OPT.

A decision by the Tripartite Committee, a ministerial body overseeing media licensing, preceded the ban. The Magistrate Court in Ramallah later extended the restrictions, closing several of Al Jazeera’s digital platforms, including aljazeera.net and ajplus.net, citing threats to national security and allegations of incitement.

Human rights experts have expressed alarm over the move, describing it as a severe violation of freedom of expression. “To shut down a prominent international media outlet is a disproportionate and unnecessary restriction that obstructs the right to information for Palestinians and global audiences,” they said in a joint statement.

The experts linked the ban to Al Jazeera’s critical reporting on recent crackdowns by Palestinian security forces in Jenin Refugee Camp and the West Bank. These operations, which began on December 5, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least eight Palestinians, including a young female journalist.

“The decision to ban Al Jazeera amidst escalating violence and human rights violations suggests an intent to block international scrutiny and silence criticism,” the statement added.

The experts emphasized the critical role of free and independent media in ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly in regions experiencing conflict. They warned that suppressing press freedom could foster impunity for human rights abuses.

Comparing the PA’s actions to Israel's earlier ban on Al Jazeera and the closure of its Ramallah office, the experts urged Palestinian authorities to avoid adopting similar measures.

“Without independent reporting, potential human rights abuses and violations of international law may go unreported, creating an environment where impunity thrives,” they said.

In Gaza, Israeli authorities have barred international journalists from reporting since the outbreak of war in October 2023. International media organizations, including UNESCO, report that dozens of Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli forces during the conflict.

The human rights experts, who operate independently and are unpaid for their work, have raised their concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities. (ILKHA)