By Lisa Murimi
The Palestinian Authority has lifted its months-long ban on Al Jazeera, allowing the Qatar-based broadcaster to resume operations in the Palestinian territories starting Tuesday, local media reported.
The ban, which was imposed in January, cited concerns over what Palestinian officials described as “incitement and threats to civil peace” in Al Jazeera’s coverage.
The move sparked widespread criticism from international media watchdogs and human rights groups, who viewed it as a serious blow to press freedom in the region.
On Monday, President Mahmoud Abbas officially reversed the decision, although no formal reason was given for the sudden policy shift.
Observers believe the move may be an attempt to ease strained relations with regional media outlets and present a more open stance amid deepening political and security turmoil.
Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau chief, Walid al-Omari, welcomed the development and confirmed that the broadcaster’s teams would resume work in compliance with local laws and media protocols.
The ban had placed the Palestinian Authority under increased scrutiny, particularly as neighboring Israel has also faced accusations of media suppression, including actions against Al Jazeera journalists.
The decision to reinstate Al Jazeera’s operations may reflect a recalibration by Palestinian leadership under mounting pressure to uphold media freedoms.
While the presidency remains silent on the reasons behind lifting the ban, the restoration of Al Jazeera’s access is seen by many as a necessary step toward restoring transparency and accountability in Palestinian media policy.
