For supporters of Israel, this was long overdue. The BBC was caught red-handed doctoring the news. In this case, it was the editing of Donald Trump’s remarks at the gathering in front of the Capitol at the famed January 6, 2020, event. At the event, Trump did say we will have to “fight like hell” to assure our democracy by making sure that only certified electoral colleges were accepted to approve the election results against Joe Biden.
He also said, “We will march down to the Capitol peacefully and patriotically.” That little detail the BBC omitted, making it look like he was only interested in fighting. Two BBC executives resigned in disgrace over the allegations.
Although the BBC did issue an apology, Trump is not letting it slide and is suing the BBC for $1.6 billion in damages to his reputation. Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss applauded the lawsuit and wished Trump well, as the BBC has made a laughingstock out of British journalism.
It’s a shame that Israel does not join in that lawsuit. The BBC has notoriously treated Israel as the villain and Hamas as freedom fighters for years. They totally push the genocide libel as fact.
Recently, a BBC reporter commented on the hostage deal with Israel in which Israel agreed to free thousands of murderous prisoners. The reporter referred to the deal as a “hostage exchange,” as though to imply there were hostages on both sides.
So it’s hard to shed a tear for the BBC. They had it coming. If only the lawsuit would bring the BBC to its knees on their Mideast reporting as well.
But the same accuracy should be demanded of American media as well. ABC, CBS, CNN, and The New York Times are equally complicit in distorting the truth about the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. They all promote the Israeli genocide lie.
So I say Kol HaKavod to President Trump! I hope you are successful in your mission to bring the BBC, and hopefully other media, to a reality check.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.