Outrage as BBC accused of ‘Hamas apologism’ in newest Israel report
BBC News International Editor Jeremy Bowen has come beneath hearth for his feedback concerning the Israeli navy’s actions in Gaza.
Bowen’s remarks, made throughout a report on the battle, have sparked accusations of “Hamas apologism” and raised issues concerning the objectivity of the BBC‘s protection.
During the report, Bowen mentioned the Israeli navy’s focusing on of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, saying: “The priority they gave to Shifa means that once they drove into Gaza City, they killed a lot of people.
“Their argument has all the time been that so many individuals have been killed as a result of Hamas has been utilizing them as human shields.”
Bowen expressed scepticism about the evidence presented by the Israeli military, particularly regarding a pile of Kalashnikovs allegedly found in the hospital. “The proof so far on the pile of Kalashnikovs there, I’m afraid shouldn’t be convincing,” he added. “Wherever you go within the Middle East, you see an terrible lot of Kalashnikovs.”
He also raised concerns about the freedom granted to journalists visiting the hospital, suggesting that the Israeli authorities limited their ability to move around freely. Bowen concluded by highlighting the potential impact of the ongoing conflict. He said: “If they can not show this level about human shields, the strain for a ceasefire goes to extend.”
In response to Bowen’s feedback, Daniel Sugarman, Director of Public Affairs for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, criticised the BBC‘s reporting. Sugarman wrote on social media: “Ah, I see the BBC has reached the ‘possibly the pile of Kalashnikovs within the Gazan hospital really belonged to the hospital safety group’ stage of their Israel reporting.”
Kate Hoey, a member of the House of Lords, said: “It does appear [as] if even the good Jeremy Bowen has firmly established himself as a supporter of those that oppose Israel taking out Hamas.”
Barrister Edward Levey, accused Bowen of straining “each sinew to solid doubt on the declare that the hospital was being utilized by Hamas terrorists”.
He added: “The bizarre factor is that in relation to Israel, nothing in need of “conclusive proof” appears ok for the BBC. If this ludicrous remark had been made by anybody aside from a BBC journalist, [the presenter] would undoubtedly have questioned it, however as a substitute she sat quietly and stated nothing.”
Their criticism was echoed by other users of the social media network X, formerly Twitter.
One wrote: “The fixed delegitimisation of proof produced by Israel, in distinction to the report that ‘a person within the hospital stated Israel was taking pictures individuals within the hospital at random’ going unchallenged within the earlier report, is kind of frankly, appalling journalism.”
Another consumer advised that the BBC‘s status “won’t ever recuperate from this struggle”, describing their reporting as “Hamas apologism”.
It comes as earlier this week, the BBC was pressured to apologise after a newsreader incorrectly claimed that Israeli troopers have been “focusing on medical employees and Arab audio system” at Gaza’s largest hospital.
A newsreader had been citing a report by news agency Reuters, stating that the IDF confirmed it would be carrying out a “precise and targeted operation” against Hamas in Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital.
An IDF spokesperson told the publication: “The IDF forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians.”
However, the BBC newsreader had mistakenly stated in what is known to be a stay broadcast: “We are listening to from Reuters that’s reporting that Israel, it says its forces are finishing up an operation towards Hamas in Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital and they’re focusing on individuals, together with medical groups in addition to Arab audio system.
“They are also saying that Israel is calling on all Hamas operatives in the hospital to surrender at this point.”
The newsreader then went on to repeat the misreported info, including: “They are targeting … it’s Arab speakers as well as some of the medical staff there and they are asking all Hamas operatives in that hospital to surrender.”
The BBC aired a clarification and stated it had “misquoted a Reuters report”, and added: “We apologise for this error that fell below our editorial standards.”