IDF counter-terrorism operations which began on August 28th in several locations in Palestinian Authority controlled areas quickly became the topic of extensive coverage on the BBC News website. One of the earlier items – published on the morning of August 28th – was a live page which continued into the next day. Two of the entries on that live page featured the Palestinian propagandist – and regular BBC contributor – Mustafa Barghouti.
Barghouti’s false claim that “the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders to people in Nur Shams refugee camp” had – as the BBC itself states – “not been confirmed” because no such order was issued.
Nevertheless, the BBC chose to platform that false claim on its website’s live page, on BBC radio (from 12:40 here) and on BBC television, where Barghouti told viewers that:
Barghouti: “Just now the Israeli army declared that they made orders to the population of Nur Shams refugee camp […] to evacuate their houses and their homes completely. It’s exactly like they have done in Gaza…”
What actually happened in the Nur Shams camp – which of course the BBC refrains from informing its audiences is a terror stronghold – was reported by the Israeli media as follows:
“During an IDF operation to uncover explosive devices buried under roads in Nur al-Shams, a water pipe was unintentionally damaged, the IDF reported Wednesday afternoon.
There has been no directive for residents of the area to evacuate, and there are additional water sources available for the population in Nur al-Shams.”
And:
“Additionally, the IDF denies that it has ordered residents of the area to evacuate.
“IDF troops are allowing residents who wish to distance themselves from the combat zones to leave the area safely,” the military says.
Troops are securing routes for civilians who wish to evacuate, but none are being forced to do so, an IDF source adds.”
In the television interview, Barghouti also made the false claim that the IDF is trying to “bring the rule of genocide and ethnic cleansing from Gaza to the West Bank”. As we see, the BBC News website thought it appropriate to promote that false narrative (which is also being promoted by Hamas) in both its entries featuring Barghouti.
The BBC has used Barghouti as a contributor for many years and hence cannot claim to be unaware of his serial promotion of lies and propaganda. It has no excuse for not being aware of the fact that the unprecedented Hamas massacre on October 7th 2023 was described by Barghouti as follows:
“Today, is a glorious day for the Palestinian resistance and people. The resistance paid with interest for the attacks of the terrorist settlers, and for the attacks against the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It paid with interest for those who normalize [their relations] with the occupation.”
Nevertheless, the BBC continues to provide Barghouti with multiple platforms from which to promote his politically motivated propaganda under the guise of ‘news’ – even when it clearly understands that he is lying.
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