Complaint
A viewer objected to the events of 7 October 2023 being described as a βd±π΄Ϊ±π²Ή³Ωβ for Israel, arguing the word was misleading as it only applied to an armed conflict, whereas the victims were unarmed civilians. Β The ECU considered whether the broadcast met the editorial standards for impartiality and accuracy set out in the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Editorial Guidelines.
Outcome
The reference to Israelβs βd±π΄Ϊ±π²Ή³Ωβ was made in a report by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs International Editor on the death of Yahhya al Sinwar, the Hamas leader behind the 7 October attacks.Β
In the ECUβs view no-one watching the footage which accompanied the report, of gunmen firing indiscriminately on civilian homes and young people at a music festival running from armed attack, would have been in any doubt as to what had occurred orΒ who the victims were.Β As the attack was seen as a significant failure of military intelligence for Israel and described as such, including by senior figures in Israel, and as the context made clear the sense in which βd±π΄Ϊ±π²Ή³Ωβ was being used, the ECU found neither inaccuracy nor bias.
Not Upheld