Israel accuses BBC’s Mishal Husain of 'blindly repeating terrorist claims'

David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesperson, has criticised BBC presenter Mishal Husain during a recent Radio 4 Today programme, accusing her of “blindly repeating what terrorist organisations … feed you.” 

Mencer's remarks, made during a tense interview on Monday, included his claim that Husain warranted the 'pro-Palestinian reporter of the year award'.

Mencer's accusations came in response to Husain's questioning about an Israeli airstrike on a school compound in Gaza. Dr Khamis Elessi, interviewed by the BBC, reported that the casualties included elderly people, women, and children. In contrast, the Israeli army claimed the school was used as a Hamas command centre, that the strike resulted in the elimination of 19 Hamas fighters and that “there were no women and children present”.

Mencer dismissed Elessi’s account as unreliable, criticising the BBC’s reporting as one-sided. He suggested that such reporting contributes to anti-Semitic incidents in the UK, including threats against Jewish communities. 

He further condemned Husain’s coverage of claims by the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem, which alleged the torture of Palestinian prisoners, describing these claims as a “fringe opinion” and accusing the BBC of fostering radicalism.

In response to Mencer's allegations, a BBC spokesperson defended Husain, asserting that she had conducted the interview in a “professional, fair, and courteous manner.” The spokesperson emphasised that Husain’s questions were legitimate and important, and the broadcaster rejected the accusations of bias.

The interview also addressed the ongoing ban on international journalists reporting from Gaza, imposed by the Israeli government since the conflict began last October. Mencer argued that allowing international journalists into Gaza would complicate Israel’s efforts to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups. 

This ban has been criticised by international news organisations, which have struggled to verify claims from both sides. The Committee to Protect Journalists has reported that at least 113 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in the conflict.

Husain, a highly respected BBC interviewer known for her tenacity and professionalism, has been with the Today programme for 11 years and is considered a potential successor to Huw Edwards as the BBC’s top news presenter. Mencer, a British media and public relations specialist, has been representing the Israeli government since last autumn and previously served as the director of Labour Friends of Israel.