Al Jazeera, long critical of US over Israel-Hamas war, quiets critiques during Trump's visit

Qatar's satellite news channel Al Jazeera long has been a powerful force in the Middle East, often taking editorial positions at odds with America's interests in the region during the wars that followed the September 11, 2001 attacks by al-Qaida. But during President Donald Trump's visit to the Gulf Arab nation this week, state-funded Al Jazeera muted its typical critiques of American foreign policy.

The channel, which broadcasts in Arabic and English, broadly covered Trump's visit in a straightforward manner, highlighting it was the first-ever trip to Qatar by a sitting American leader.

Mentions of the Israel-Hamas war, which Al Jazeera often has criticised America over for its military support to Israel, did not include any critiques of US policy.


Instead, journalists highlighted Qatar's role as a mediator in the war and aired comments by Qatar's ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, calling for a ceasefire.