Everything to know about Israel’s closure of Al Jazeera bureau in Ramallah amid Israel-Palestine conflict

Heavily armed Israeli soldiers raided Al Jazeera’s occupied West Bank bureau in Ramallah on live television, handing the bureau head a notice to shut it down. Despite being in Area A, under Palestinian control, the soldiers ordered the overnight staff to leave. Israel has a history of actions in Area A, where the Palestinian Authority administers on paper. The closure order accuses Al Jazeera of incitement and supporting terrorism. Al Jazeera has been targeted by Israel in the past, with journalists killed. The raid involved engineers which raised concerns about the destruction of archives. The team was unharmed but unable to approach the building as Israeli soldiers patrolled the area. The closure order is for 45 days, likely to be renewed automatically. Al Jazeera’s bureau in Israel was previously closed due to the “Al Jazeera Law”. Appeals would have to go through the military court system, known for secret evidence and indefinite detentions. The bureau is sealed off, making it inaccessible. The closure has raised concerns about Israel’s repression of real news about Palestinians. Al Jazeera has been a vital instrument for informing the world about Israel’s violations in Palestinian territory. The raid has caused disruption for the bureau and its staff, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in the region.

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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com