Israeli Defense Force and Israeli Security Agency shut down select Palestinian media on October 18. Among the raided during the night operation were the offices of Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa TV stations.
They were deemed illegal by the Israeli government on accusations of “broadcasting inciting material”. Two people were also detained on charges of instigating terrorism.
18 Palestinian Arabs, who were suspected of terrorism, were apprehended in Judea and Samaria by the military forces the same night. They were handed to Israeli Security Agency.
These incidents follow the attempted reconciliation of Palestinian Fatah party and Hamas, a move that Israel continues to publicly criticize. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel won’t accept the appeasement where the Palestinian side is reconciling at Israel’s expense, adding that anyone who discusses a peace process must recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Israel demands the negotiations commence only in case that all weapons – including those in Hamas’ hands – must be under the control of the rule of law of the Palestinian National Authority.
This Israeli government systematically shuts down Palestinian media, with recently raiding and closing a radio station in Hebron in August and a TV station in July.
