Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ordered an attorney-general to unblock websites, that were closed earlier for the criticism of the leader’s policies, and instructed against any crackdown on the freedom of expression and media, the Jerusalem Post daily reported.

According to the Israeli daily, in the last two months security forces of the Palestinian Authority arrested at least nine Palestinian journalists, bloggers and activists fighting against corruption.

Palestinian leader Abbas “instructed the attorney-general to lift a ban on all electronic websites and to halt any measure that contradicts freedom of media and information,” the daily reported.

According to the daily, Abbas’ decision comes after sharp criticism from the human rights organizations across the United States and the European Union.