ICSPR Condemns the Decision to Halt Al Jazeera’s Operations and Broadcast, Urges Government to Revoke the Decision to Protect the Rule of Law and Press Freedoms
Date: 2 Jan 2025
Press Release
ICSPR Condemns the Decision to Halt Al Jazeera’s Operations and Broadcast, Urges Government to Revoke the Decision to Protect the Rule of Law and Press Freedoms
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) condemns the government’s decision to suspend the broadcast and freeze all operations of Al Jazeera in Palestinian territories, citing alleged violations of laws, incitement, and interference in internal Palestinian affairs. ICSPR considers this an infringement on freedom of expression and media freedoms, guaranteed under international human rights standards. It also constitutes a violation of the Basic Law, Article 19, which prohibits infringing upon freedom of opinion, and Article 27, which guarantees the freedom of media operations and prohibits censorship, warnings, suspension, confiscation, or closure except in accordance with the law and by judicial ruling. The decision also blatantly violates the 1995 Press and Publications Law and its amendments, which stipulate that any measures against media outlets must be issued by a competent court.
ICSPR urges the authorities to revoke this arbitrary decision to ban the broadcast and freeze the operations of Al Jazeera, ensuring the rule of law and respecting press freedoms. This would safeguard media outlets’ freedom to operate in accordance with the law, guarantee the right to fair legal procedures, and prevent violations against journalists and media institutions.
