Israeli troops are seen on the offensive. They gave the military order to shut down the channel to Al-Jazeera TV’s West Bank bureau chief, Walid al-Omari.
The Israeli army raided Al-Jazeera TV’s bureau office in Ramallah, occupied West Bank. Initially, the Israeli army ordered the closure of the office for 45 days.
Early in the morning, Israeli soldiers entered the office while Al-Jazeera TV was broadcasting live. Israeli soldiers were seen armed. They were wearing masks.
Israeli troops are seen on the offensive. They gave the military order to shut down the channel to Al-Jazeera TV’s West Bank bureau chief, Walid al-Omari. He read out the order during the live broadcast. The channel was then interrupted.
Such a dictatorial decision of the army is a violation of the freedom of journalism and media. There are also indications that journalism that highlights the oppression of the occupiers against the Palestinian people is being hindered.
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, speaking by phone from Ramallah, said the raids and closure orders in the West Bank were not surprising after Israel banned reporting from inside.
He added, “We have heard Israeli officials threatening to close the bureau.” We have heard the government discuss the issue, asking the military regime in the occupied West Bank to close and close the channel. But we didn’t expect it to happen.
Sunday’s incident comes months after the Israeli government banned Al Jazeera from operating inside Israel in May.
