The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) is following with major interest and deep concern the effects of the unjust Israeli decision targeting one of ASBU’s key member channels, namely the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), and banning the activities of Palestine TV in Occupied Al-Qods (Jerusalem). The objective of such a decision can only be to hide Israel's crimes from world’s television cameras and impose its control over the occupied City.
While expressing its full support to the member corporation in this difficult experience and its strong condemnation of the decision to impair the activities of the Palestine TV in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, ASBU shares the PBC’s view that the decision is political par excellence with a security pretext, as it was taken by the highest levels of the Israeli occupation government. It reflects a blatant violation of international law and legitimacy, considering that Al-Qods is occupied Palestinian territory under international law.
In addition to violating international law, the decision clearly violates the freedom of opinion and expression, and the freedom of press and media work internationally guaranteed. It is part of the systematic work to Judaize the City and change its Arab civilization features. Therefore, ASBU calls upon all international institutions, inclluding the United Nations and institutions defending the freedom of opinion and expression, as well as regional and international professional radio and television to condemn this decision and reject it as a new Israel crime.
ASBU also expresses its strong and unconditional support to the Palestine Television, Radio Palestine and all the targeted Palestinian media, which will not be intimidated by the decision of the occupying power. What happened was part of an Israeli plan to silence the Palestinian national media, which has been in place for decades.