The decision by the Israeli occupation to extend its ban on Al Mayadeen Media Network has sparked an additional wave of condemnation from various international, regional, and local figures and movements. The move has been widely criticized as a significant affront to press freedom and an attempt to silence Arab pro-Palestine voices on the international level.

#AlMayadeen's ban in occupied #Palestine has been renewed by the Israeli occupation yet again, amid its ongoing war crimes in #Gaza and southern #Lebanon.

Several media personnel and Palestinian factions condemned the attempt to silence the truth through this ban. pic.twitter.com/RjoGgYbCwK

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 11, 2024

The Hamas Movement issued a strong rebuke of the Israeli occupation’s continued ban on Al Mayadeen Media Network. The movement criticized the confiscation of the channel's equipment and the blocking of its website.

Hamas stressed that the ban "ban reflects the Zionist entity’s discomfort with Al Mayadeen's significant role in supporting the Palestinian people and conveying their suffering to the world."

The movement also emphasized that the decision underscores Al Mayadeen's significant presence in the Arab media landscape and its efforts to thwart Israeli plans.

ICSPR condemns the 'blatant violation of press freedom'

Similarly, the International Commission to Support Palestinian People’s Rights (ICSPR) has strongly condemned the Israeli government's decision to renew the ban on Al Mayadeen Media Network, describing it as a "blatant violation of press freedom."

In a statement, the organization reiterated its opposition to the systematic targeting of journalists and media workers by the Israeli occupation. It expressed solidarity with Al Mayadeen and its team, praising their commitment to truth, justice, and human rights.

#TeleSUR expressed solidarity with Al Mayadeen after the Israeli occupation imposed a #ban on the network and its crew in occupied #Palestine.

The Latin media network condemned the decision by the Israeli government and highlighted that this decision undermines the freedom to… pic.twitter.com/GhStdQi0FI

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 11, 2024

The commission also criticized the international community's failure to protect Palestinians and journalists, warning that "the decision might be a precursor to expanding violations and crimes of genocide and ongoing Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, and other regional countries."

Multiple figures also condemn the Israeli occupation's decision

In turn, the Popular Campaign for the Support of Palestine and Issues of the Nation described the Israeli occupation government's actions against Al Mayadeen as a "new testimony" to the channel's significant role. The campaign suggested that Al Mayadeen's coverage of the situation in Majdal Shams has intensified the Israeli government's animosity towards the channel.

Moreover, the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture Abbas al-Haj Hassan labeled the Israeli occupation's decision to freeze and ban Al Mayadeen as "intellectual terrorism," highlighting it as a reflection of the nature of the Israeli occupation.

Furthermore, the First Lady of Cuba also condemned the decision, noting that it not only bans Al Mayadeen but also threatens its reporters in Palestine, whom the Israeli occupation government has unjustly labeled as terrorists.

#AlMayadeen Media Network released a statement commenting on the recent Israeli ban on the network, renewing its commitment to professionalism and warning against any harm its journalists may be subjected to after labeling them as "terrorists" which reflects the gravity of the… pic.twitter.com/bVlSlDcFO3

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 11, 2024

Read more: Al Mayadeen addresses Israeli ban, warns against harming its staff