ISRAEL BANS PALESTINIAN TV CHANNEL FOR ARAB CITIZENS

Al-Quds, 24 Ramadan 1436/11 July 2015 (MINA) – Israel’s minister of public security issued a banning order on Thursday against F48 (short for Falastin 1948 “Palestine 1948”) television channel, which is geared towards the Arab citizens of Israel.

“I will not allow Israel’s sovereignty to be harmed or allow the Palestinian Authority to gain a foothold in the country,” insisted Gilad Erdan.

Police officials confirmed the order, saying “In accordance with his legal authority, Erdan signed an order prohibiting F48 from operating anywhere in Israel.” Middle East Monitor (Memo) reports as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The order stated that the channel was barred “because it is a channel funded by the Palestinian Authority and is operating in Israel without the proper written authorisation to do so. ” F48 is barred from operating in Israel for six months in the first instance.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the Minister of Communications, instructed the head of his ministry to shut down the new Palestinian TV station hours before its first broadcast at the beginning of Ramadan. (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)