BBC Faces Backlash over Removal of Gaza Documentary on Children
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The BBC has come under heavy criticism for removing a documentary about Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip from its iPlayer platform.
The documentary, titled "Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone," was withdrawn after it emerged that one of the featured children, 13-year-old Abdullah Alyazouri, was the son of Dr. Ayman Alyazouri, a deputy minister in Gaza’s government.
Gaza is governed by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, which has been engaged in conflict with Israel. The ongoing war, now exceeding 15 months, has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.
The BBC’s decision followed pressure from pro-Israeli advocates, including Israel’s ambassador to the UK, and statements from British officials, such as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who said she would be discussing the matter with the broadcaster.
In a statement, the BBC said it was carrying out "further due diligence" on the film, stressing that it contained "important stories" about children’s experiences in Gaza but would not be available on iPlayer while the review was ongoing.
Criticism intensified after reports surfaced that Dr. Ayman Alyazouri, Gaza’s deputy minister of agriculture, had an academic and professional background that included work in the United Arab Emirates and studies at British universities. A group of 45 Jewish journalists, including former BBC governor Ruth Deech, called for the film’s removal, alleging Alyazouri had ties to militant activities.
Supporters of the documentary have condemned the decision. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU), described the removal as “a shame,” arguing it was the result of pressure from anti-Palestinian activists. He highlighted the film’s value in providing “insights into life in this horrific warzone” and urged the BBC to reinstate it.
The controversy has also raised concerns about the BBC’s editorial independence. Filmmaker and journalist Richard Sanders, who has covered Gaza for Al Jazeera, called the move “cowardly,” warning that yielding to external pressure could set a “dangerous precedent” for Palestinian media coverage.
The documentary explores the daily realities faced by children in Gaza, depicting the impact of Israeli airstrikes and blockade-related hardships. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with international organizations describing the humanitarian crisis—worsened by ceasefire violations and severe shortages of essential supplies—as among the worst globally.
The removal of the film is seen by some as part of a broader pattern of efforts to suppress Palestinian narratives and limit scrutiny of Israel’s crimes in the occupied territories.
