The images of Israeli troops shutting down our bureau are a warning to journalists everywhere – but we will not be silencedAsef Hamidi is the director of news, Al Jazeera ChannelThe decision to weld shut Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah, ban its operations in Israel and restrict international media reporting from Gaza is a dire warning for all independent journalists worldwide. No media organisation anywhere in the world would accept heavily armed and masked security men storming its offices.In the early hours of 22 September, the armed foot soldiers of Israel’s far-right regime stormed the entrance to the bureau, confiscated equipment and disrupted live broadcasts, waving a signed directive ordering the network’s Palestinian operations to be shut down. They boarded the entrance with metal sheets.Asef Hamidi is the director of news, Al Jazeera ChannelDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...