Far-right Israeli minister blocks Palestinian radio broadcasts

Jerusalem, Mar 21 (EFE).- Israel’s minister of national security Itamar Ben Gvir on Tuesday ordered that the Voice of Palestine, an official radio station linked to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), halt its operations, in his latest crackdown on Palestinians.

The far-right official issued an order barring a Palestinian company in occupied East Jerusalem from providing communication services for the Ramallah-based radio station, blocking its broadcasts in Israel, according to local media.

Israeli police officers headed to the company on Tuesday morning to shut it down and arrest the manager, as well as several journalists. They were released hours later, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

“I will not accept incitement and terror-supporting activity, not by the Palestinian Authority or any other entity,” Ben Gvir said.

The company’s head called this act a “violation of international treaties, freedom of the press and public rights.”

The Palestinian leadership also condemned the Israeli order to block the broadcasts of one of the main radio channels in the Palestinian territory, where high-ranking Palestinian officials usually make statements.

Ramzy Khoury, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said the measure is “a continuation of the (Israeli) occupation’s policy of fighting against the Palestinian media,” especially official outlets.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government includes several far-right partners who want more Israeli settlements in the occupied territories and to take a harder line against the Palestinians.EFE

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