KUALA LUMPUR – It was a violent night for a group of BBC journalists in Tel Aviv, Israel after they were dragged out of their car and held at gunpoint by Israeli police.
According to the BBC, journalists Muhannad Tutunji, Haitham Abudiab, and the BBC Arabic team were intercepted en route to a hotel.
They claimed they were in their vehicle, which was marked “TV” with red tape, before being dragged out, searched, and pushed against a wall.
They also said they had shown their press identification cards to the police, and informed the authorities that they were BBC reporters.
Tutunji attempted to film the incident but was hit in the neck, while his phone was thrown on the ground.
Speaking on the incident, a BBC spokesperson said journalists should have the liberty to report on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“One of our BBC News Arabic teams sent to Tel Aviv – in a vehicle clearly marked as media – was stopped and assaulted last night by Israeli police.
“Journalists must be able to report on the conflict in Israel-Gaza freely.”
The surge in violence in the Gaza Strip came after a surprise attack by Hamas recently under Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – aimed to put an end to Israeli violations.
In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We are at war.”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated Malaysia’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine, calling on the international community to cease all actions perpetuating cruelty and oppression against the Palestinians.
Yesterday, numerous people in Malaysia gathered at various mosques nationwide after Friday prayers, in solidarity with Palestine. – October 14, 2023