BBC Faces Calls to Withdraw Gaza Documentary Due to Shocking Discovery About Child Featured
A letter from TV executives has expressed concerns about the editorial standards of this program and the BBC’s compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
The BBC is being urged to remove a documentary about Gaza from BBC iPlayer due to the revelation that a child featured in it is the son of a Hamas leader.
The documentary, titled “Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone,” aired on BBC Two and has Abdullah Al-Yazouri narrating about life in Gaza amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, producer Neil Blair, Danny Cohen, former BBC One controller, and producer Leo Pearlman have written a letter to BBC Director-General Tim Davie highlighting their concerns. They are requesting the BBC to halt further broadcasts of the program, remove it from iPlayer, and conduct an independent investigation with transparent findings for license fee payers.
They have questioned the BBC’s editorial standards, compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, its own Editorial Guidelines, and English law in relation to this documentary.
They are seeking answers from the BBC about the disclosure of Abdullah’s family ties to Hamas, the due diligence process, parental consent for his appearance, and permission from Hamas for the documentary’s production.
The BBC has responded, acknowledging the family connection of the narrator and pledging to enhance transparency by adding details to the film before its retransmission. They have apologized for the initial oversight and added information about Abdullah’s father’s role with Hamas.
The BBC highlights that the production team maintained editorial control over filming with Abdullah, followed compliance procedures, but were not informed of this crucial information during the production phase.
The documentary remains a powerful portrayal of the impact of the Gaza conflict from a child’s perspective, and the BBC is committed to transparency in its broadcasting.
The production company, Hoyo Films, which also produced the BBC documentary “Ukraine: Enemy In The Woods,” has been contacted for comment.
Since October 2023, over 48,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict with Israel, following an attack by Hamas on festivalgoers and settlers. Hamas is currently releasing hostages as part of a truce agreement with Israel.
