The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Wednesday decided to freeze the work of al-Jazeera Arabic satellite channel in the Palestinian territories.

In a statement sent to the media, the Palestinian information ministry said the offices of the Qatar-based news channel in the Palestinian territories are temporarily closed until a court ruling.

"The al-Jazeera work is suspended since it dedicates a wide space from its coverage for incitement against the PNA and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)," the statement added.

The move is believed to be motivated by a news show the channel aired on Tuesday where it hosted Farouq al-Qadoumi, an old guard Fatah politician, to talk about his earlier statements in which he accused President Mahmoud Abbas and other Fatah leaders of aiding Israel in killing late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Meanwhile, al-Jazeera reported the news about the closure of its bureau in the West Bank, saying it finds the decision strange. The controversial broadcaster also promised to issue a statement in response to the PNA decision.

The PNA decision is unlikely to affect the work of al-Jazeera offices in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2009)