The United States and European countries announced that they would stop broadcasting the Al-Aqsa Satellite Network on all satellites. This move was met with a strong reaction from the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, which called it a clear violation of media freedom.
Based on this decision, the US and Europe have not only blocked the broadcast of the network on all satellites, but will also face heavy financial fines and even threats of charges of “supporting terrorism” against satellite companies that continue to broadcast it.
In a statement, Hamas condemned this joint action by the US and Europe, emphasizing that this decision is a clear violation of media freedom and the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to convey their voice to the world.
The statement continued: “This cruel decision is a direct attack on the free Palestinian media, which reflects the crimes of the occupiers and the suffering of our people to the world. This action is in line with the enemy’s failed attempts to silence truthful voices, suppress media that exposes the crimes of the Zionist regime, as well as continuing the policies of banning international media from entering the Gaza Strip and targeting Palestinian journalists.”
Hamas called on international media and institutions to condemn this action and work to expose the Zionist regime’s continuous violations of international law and human values.
The movement stressed: “All attempts by the occupiers to conceal the truth will fail, and the voice of resistance will continue to echo the suffering of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights until freedom and return.”
The Palestinian Journalists Association, in response to the widespread boycott of Al-Aqsa TV in the United States and Europe, said in a statement: “This action is a dangerous sign of the complicity of some international parties with the Zionist regime in its efforts to cover up its crimes against the Palestinian people.”
Palestinian journalists emphasized that this action reflects the double standards of some countries towards freedom of expression; countries that support freedom of the press only when their interests are served, but when these media outlets publish the true story, they face repression and restrictions.
The Palestinian Journalists Association, condemning the recent decision to stop broadcasting Al-Aqsa TV, called on international institutions and free media to confront this “cruel” action and put pressure on it to be canceled.
At the same time, a call for urgent action has been issued by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to protect Palestinian media from systematic attacks and to find solutions to ensure the continuous broadcasting of Al-Aqsa TV.
It has also called on Arab and Islamic satellites not to succumb to American and European pressure and to help the network continue its media mission by hosting it.