Following a recent large-scale Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, the BBC has issued an apology for comments made by one of its news hosts. The operation, which Israel described as targeting Hamas terrorist activity, resulted in casualties on both sides, including 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier. The conflict concluded with an exchange of rockets and airstrikes.
During an interview with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, BBC host Anjana Gadgil questioned the deaths of young people during the operation, asking, "young people are being killed, four of them under eighteen. Is that really what the military set out to do?"
Bennett maintained that those killed were militants, emphasizing that over 50 Israeli citizens had been killed by militants from the Jenin camp in the past year, making it an "epicenter of terror." He argued that young individuals choosing to take up arms bear responsibility for their actions.
Palestinian militants during a funeral procession for those killed in the Israeli operation in Jenin. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP via Getty Images)
Gadgil's response to Bennett's explanation sparked controversy. She stated, "Terrorists, but children. The Israeli forces are happy to kill children." This remark drew immediate criticism from various public figures and organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and media watchdog HonestReporting, who filed a formal complaint with the BBC.
Mourners at a funeral for Palestinians killed during Israeli airstrikes and raids in Jenin. (Photo by Issam Rimawi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
HonestReporting's editorial director, Simon Plosker, condemned Gadgil's comment as going "beyond decent journalism," characterizing it as a "blood libel" and accusing her of projecting bias and falsely accusing Israeli soldiers of being child killers.
Smoke rising during the Israeli military raid in Jenin. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
In response to the backlash, a BBC spokesperson acknowledged the complaints and stated that while the impact of the operation on children was a legitimate topic for discussion, the phrasing of Gadgil's question was inappropriate. The BBC apologized for the language used and reiterated its commitment to impartial and robust coverage of the conflict.
