THE BBC have pulled a controversial documentary off iPlayer after it was accused of being a propaganda tool for Hamas.
Its prime-time Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone featured children living in the strip since the October 7 attack on Israel.
BBCThe main narrator of the BBC’s Gaza documentary, 13-year-old Abdulla Eliyazour, is claimed to be the son of Hamas official Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri[/caption]
BBCThe documentary has now been pulled by the BBC[/caption]
The hour-long documentary was broadcast on Monday on BBC2 and was supposed to be available for the next year on iPlayer.
Now, the programme reads “not currently available” when accessed online on BBC iPlayer.
It comes after controversy was stirred after reports the main narrator — 13-year-old Abdulla Eliyazouri — is allegedly the son of Hamas deputy minister of agriculture Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri.
The BBC have confirmed the documentary was pulled while the corporation conducts “further due diligence”.
A statement from the BBC today said: “Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone features important stories we think should be told, those of the experiences of children in Gaza.
“There have been continuing questions raised about the programme and in the light of these, we are conducting further due diligence with the production company.
“The programme will not be available on iPlayer while this is taking place.”
Investigative journalist David Collier, who revealed the identities of those involved, said: “How did the BBC let a son of a Hamas minister walk around looking for sympathy and demonising Israel for an hour in a documentary?
“The BBC is publishing Hamas propaganda.
“The current hierarchy at the BBC has turned a once respected state broadcaster into a propaganda outlet for a radical Islamic terror group.”
Meanwhile, one of the cameramen for the BBC doc is said to have previously posted messages saluting the October 7 massacre and videos showing off Hamas weapons.
Abdulla previously featured in a Channel 4 report in November 2023, soon after Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began.
He appeared under a different name with a man called Khalil Abushammala, who was said to be his father.
But Abushammala is actually his uncle and director of a group which campaigns for Palestinian prisoners.
It has links to the terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), according to Collier.
The PFLP took part in the October 7 attacks alongside Hamas.
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