As a nonpartisan organization of writers committed to the defence of freedom of expression, PEN Canada is deeply concerned about Israel’s recent raid and closure of Al Jazeera’s offices in the occupied-West Bank. We consider the action part of Israel’s ongoing silencing, censorship and outright targeting of Palestinian journalists and media workers.
On September 22, 2024, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) entered the Ramallah offices of Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite news organization. The IDF ordered the broadcaster to shut down for 45 days, confiscated cameras, and forced staff to leave. Al Jazeera also reported the soldiers tore down a banner depicting Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who the IDF killed in May 2022. This raid follows a previous incursion into Al Jazeera’s offices in occupied East Jerusalem last May when Israeli authorities banned the broadcaster from operating inside Israel – the first time such a ban had been imposed on a foreign news outlet in Israel.
The actions against Al Jazeera come as Israel continues to refuse journalists independent entry into Gaza to report on a war that has killed 42,000 people since October 7 – including at least 116 journalists and media workers, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The CPJ determined that at least five of these journalists were targeted by the IDF and considers their deaths murders. The committee is now investigating ten other cases that suggest direct targeting of journalists.
PEN Canada considers this clampdown on journalists a clear effort to conceal Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. We demand Israel cease their attacks on journalism, respect the freedom of the press everywhere, and allow journalists free access into Gaza. At the same time, PEN Canada also lauds the work of those journalists who continue to bravely report in defiance of Israel’s efforts – especially those in Gaza who labour under unimaginable conditions. And we reiterate our call for an immediate and enduring cessation of hostilities by all parties, including the release of all captives.
