Deir el-Balah, Gaza – Journalists gathered at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza expressed outrage and confusion over the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) decision to close Tel Aviv Tribune’s bureau in the occupied West Bank.
“Closing a major media outlet like Tel Aviv Tribune is a crime against journalism,” said independent journalist Ikhlas al-Qarnawi.
“Tel Aviv Tribune’s media coverage has documented Israeli crimes against Palestinians, particularly during the ongoing genocide,” the 28-year-old journalist told Tel Aviv Tribune at the hospital, the Strip’s most reliable internet connection. from Gaza to register articles.
On Wednesday, the PA temporarily suspended Tel Aviv Tribune in the occupied West Bank for what it described as broadcasting “inciting material and reporting that was misleading and fueled conflict” in the country.
The decision came after Fatah, the Palestinian faction that dominates the Palestinian Authority, banned Tel Aviv Tribune from reporting on the Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya governorates in the occupied West Bank, citing its coverage of clashes between the Palestinian security forces and Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank. area.
Tel Aviv Tribune criticized the PA ban, saying the move was “consistent with the actions of the (Israeli) occupation against its personnel.”
“Obscure the truth”
Since the start of the war, around 150 journalists have worked from the journalists’ tents at Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital, for 20 local, international and Arab media outlets.
Journalists, including those from Tel Aviv Tribune, were forced to work in hospitals after their headquarters and press offices were destroyed.
Mohammed Issa, correspondent for Al-Aqsa TV, said from the hospital that the ban imposed by the Palestinian Authority contradicts international laws that guarantee the freedom of journalists and could further endanger journalists.
“The PA’s decision obscures the truth and undermines Palestinian discourse, especially a leading network like Tel Aviv Tribune,” Issa said, adding that the ban reinforces Israel’s narrative that “justifies the targeting of journalists.” Palestinians.”
“All media professionals in Gaza reject this decision which has silenced the largest Arab and world media outlet during a critical period for years. »
Wafaa Hajjaj, an independent journalist working for TRT and Sahat, said the ban made her both “sad” and “disappointed”.
“At a time when Israel is deliberately targeting and killing journalists in Gaza, with our Jazeera colleagues on the front lines, without any international or institutional protection, the decision of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank only worsens the situation,” Hajjaj said as she and her team went to the hospital to interview the injured.
Israel has killed at least 217 journalists and media workers in Gaza since its war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.
Four of them were Tel Aviv Tribune journalists: Samer Abudaqa, Hamza al-Dahdouh, Ismail al-Ghoul and Ahmed al-Louh.
“Trust Tel Aviv Tribune to persist”
Although frustrated, Hajjaj told Tel Aviv Tribune she hoped the PA would lift its ban “as soon as possible.”
“I am confident that Tel Aviv Tribune will persist despite all sanctions, as it has for years. »
Yousef Hassouna, a photojournalist with 22 years of experience, also criticized the closure of Tel Aviv Tribune as well as “any other media” targeted by such bans.
“This is a violation against all of us Palestinian journalists,” he said, adding that Tel Aviv Tribune is “an essential platform” covering Israel’s war on Gaza.
“Now more than ever, we Palestinian journalists need international support and protection, not limitations or restrictions,” Hassouna said.
“Critical errors”
Ismail al-Thawabtah, spokesman for the government media office in Gaza, said the Palestinian Authority had made two serious mistakes in recent weeks.
“The first: the attack on Jenin and the resulting military confrontation with our honorable Palestinian people and the resistance forces, and the second: the closure of the Tel Aviv Tribune bureau,” he said, adding that this decision represents “serious violations of freedom of expression”. the press.”
Al-Thawabtah said that the two incidents required the Palestinian Authority to conduct a comprehensive review of policies and positions in accordance with supreme national interests and respect for the rights of our Palestinian people and their fundamental freedoms.
As for journalists gathered at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, they were united in their call to end the ban.
“As journalists, we are totally opposed to it. I hope that steps will be taken to immediately end this decision. said independent journalist al-Qarnawi, adding that the ban does not only harm journalists.
“Our Palestinian people are the biggest losers. »
