BBC Inaccurately Reports on Situation in Gaza; Anti-Israel Protests Continue

By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos

JERUSALEM/GAZA/LONDON (Worthy News) – As anti-Israel protests rocked London, Britain’s BBC broadcaster made a correction and apology after inaccurately saying that Israel’s army targeted medical staff and Arabic speakers during a raid of Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital.

The presenter, Monica Miller, made the mistake while reading a Reuters news report live on air.

However, Reuters news agency accurately cited the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press release saying: “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 being used by Hamas as human shields.”

Yet before making the apology, the BBC wrongly stated that “they are targeting people including medical teams as well as Arab speakers.”

The BBC later said the comment “fell below our editorial standards” and that “a correction was broadcast minutes later.”

The apology did little to ease anti-Israel sentiments after Britain’s Metropolitan Police said Thursday that “no laws were broken” when pro-Palestinian protesters climbed on a war memorial in London.

The crowd climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner after a noisy rally outside Parliament, where they could be heard chanting: “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free.”

Critics see the slogan as effectively calling for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people.

Protesters also shouted: “Ceasefire Now!” in the war between Israel and Hamas. The British government had pledged to crack down on antisemitism and encouraged police to detain extremists.

Latest Worthy News