Hamas decries joint US-EU ban on Aqsa TV as an assault on media freedom

Hamas has issued a strong rebuke against a collaborative move by the United States and the European Union to prohibit the transmission of Al-Aqsa television. This Palestinian Arabic-language channel, associated with the Gaza-based resistance organization, will be barred from all communication satellites under the new decision.

In a formal statement, the group condemned the measure, describing it as an effort to silence their voice and hinder their capacity to engage with the global community.

The statement described the action as a “blatant violation of media freedom and the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to have their voices heard on the global stage.”

The statement underscored that the decision, deemed unjust, represents a direct assault on free Palestinian media organizations. These outlets strive to highlight the hardships faced by Palestinians and bring attention to alleged actions by Zionist forces to a global audience.

This measure aligns with efforts to curtail freedom of expression and to mute platforms that bring to light organized Zionist terrorism.

The statement emphasized that these actions are part of deliberate policies aimed at censoring the Palestinian perspective, restricting global media access to events unfolding in Gaza, and aligning with ongoing assaults on journalists operating in the area.

Hamas has urged global news agencies to publicly condemn a recent decision and to break their silence regarding what it describes as the Zionist regime’s violations of international law and disregard for humanitarian principles.

The resistance movement has asserted that attempts by the Tel Aviv regime to suppress the truth and manipulate reality are destined to fail.

“The assertion emphasized that the spirit of resistance will persist, steadfast in its defense of Palestinians’ legitimate rights, until freedom and their right to return are realized.”

In accordance with a collaborative decision by the United States and the European Union, any satellite service that broadcasts al-Aqsa TV may face penalties under accusations of “supporting terrorism.” Consequently, French satellite operator Eutelsat has removed the Hamas-affiliated channel al-Aqsa TV from its services. This move comes as Israel maintains its intense military operations in the conflict-stricken Gaza Strip.

In response, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement has criticized the prohibition of al-Aqsa TV, labeling it as an extension of efforts to silence and constrain the Palestinian narrative. The group contends that this action seeks to hinder their ability to communicate their hardships to the international community.

The media office of the movement issued a statement strongly denouncing what it termed as “sinful efforts,” asserting that these actions aim to suppress Palestinian voices and obscure the alleged crimes and acts of extermination being perpetrated by the occupying regime against the Palestinian people.

A recent statement has condemned the measure as a calculated effort to limit media freedoms and weaken the Palestinian community’s legitimate right to voice their grievances. The statement further asserts that this measure is at odds with fundamental principles of freedom and human rights.

The Islamic Jihad movement has officially declared its unwavering support for al-Aqsa TV and its personnel, as well as for all entities and individuals committed to delivering the truth and spotlighting the injustices faced by the Palestinian people.

The statement urged media organizations to present a united front against what it described as unjust efforts, emphasizing the importance of bolstering Palestinian media amidst ongoing attempts to suppress their people.

The media office in Gaza has criticized the joint European-American decision to remove al-Aqsa TV from satellite broadcasting platforms.

The decision has been described as a “clear attack on public liberties, freedom of speech, and an organized effort to silence the Palestinian perspective,” according to statements voiced in response to the action.

The Gaza media office has claimed that the decision signifies “a blatant alignment with the ongoing conflict instigated by Israel against Palestinian media,” further contending it as “a form of endorsement for the atrocities committed by the occupation against journalists.”

The media office called for the “reversal of the decision, citing it as a breach of international laws and resolutions.”