BBC held at gunpoint – Abused and threatened by Israeli occupying forces
Interesting timing (better late than never)...
BBC (05/06/2025): Held at gunpoint: BBC team detained by Israeli forces in southern Syria:
“On the morning of 9 May...
We were filming near one of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) observation posts, close to the town of al-Rafeed, when an official from the UN told us that the Israeli side had inquired about our identity and had been informed that we were a BBC crew…
From a nearby tower, two Israeli soldiers were watching us - one of them through binoculars - and my colleague held his BBC ID up for them to see.
The BBC has complained to the Israeli military about what happened next to my team, but it has not yet received a response.
A minute after we started filming in the area, a white car approached from the other side of the checkpoint.
Four Israeli soldiers got out of the car and surrounded us. They pointed their rifles at our heads and ordered us to place the camera on the side of the road. I tried to explain that we were a BBC crew, but things escalated unexpectedly quickly.
I was able to send a message to my BBC colleagues in London saying that we had been stopped by the Israeli military before our phones and all equipment were confiscated, more Israeli soldiers arrived in a Humvee military vehicle, and our car was thoroughly searched…
...the soldiers began reviewing the footage as we sat in our car, while one pointed his rifle at my head from metres away. After more than two hours, one of the soldiers asked me to step out of the car and speak on a mobile phone... He asked why we were filming Israeli military positions. I told him I was a British BBC journalist and explained to him the nature of our work. I returned to my car, and the rifle was again aimed at my head.
After another hour of waiting, one more vehicle arrived. A group of security personnel got out of the car carrying blindfolds and plastic zip ties and asked me to step out first. ...took me by the hand towards one of the rooms at the crossing point which were previously used by the Syrian army... I was in shock. I asked why they were doing this when they knew we were a BBC crew…
Moments later, another officer entered and told me to take off all my clothes except my underwear. I initially refused, but they insisted, and threatened me, so I complied. He inspected even inside my underwear, both front and back, searched my clothes, then told me to put them back on and started interrogating me - including personal questions about my children and their ages.
When they eventually let me out of the room, I witnessed the horrific scene of my team members, tied up and blindfolded. I pleaded to the officer to release them, and he promised to do so after the interrogations. They were taken one by one to the same room for strip search and questioning.
They returned with their hands still bound but not blindfolded. The team's interrogation lasted more than two hours, during which all our phones and laptops were examined, and many photos - including personal ones - were deleted.
The officer threatened us with worse consequences if we approached the frontier from the Syrian side again, and said that they know everything about us and would track us down if any hidden or un-deleted photo was ever published...”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4grldkeyv5o
#GodBlessTheFreePress
AI Overview
"...military harassment of journalists can constitute a war crime under international law. Specifically, if such harassment is targeted at journalists because of their profession or their reporting, it can violate the principle of distinction and the protection of civilians, leading to potential war crimes.
Here's why:
Targeting Journalists: International humanitarian law (IHL) prohibits the deliberate targeting of journalists or any other civilians. This means that if a military force actively attacks or harasses journalists because of their profession or the information they gather, it could be a violation of IHL.
Disruption of Reporting: The ability of journalists to report freely is crucial for informing the public and holding those in power accountable. If military actions prevent journalists from doing their job, it could be considered a violation of IHL and potentially a war crime.
Violation of International Law: Several international laws, including the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, address the protection of civilians and the prevention of attacks on journalists.
Examples of Military Harassment of Journalists:
Physical violence or intimidation: This could include threats, assault, or even the deliberate killing of journalists.
Restrictions on reporting: This could include preventing journalists from entering certain areas, seizing their equipment, or censoring their reports.
Targeted attacks: If journalists are specifically targeted due to their profession or reporting, this is a clear violation of IHL and a potential war crime.
In Summary:
Military harassment of journalists can be a war crime under international law, particularly if it is targeted, violates the principle of distinction, or interferes with the journalist's ability to report freely."
Jerusalem: Warrior: Warrior:
"Though many don't know they're on the wrong side
Lured into service by lust, greed and pride
Their leader a liar, through and through
Lies and more lies that's all he can do
You are no meagre opponent
But look out Satan you'd better run
Admit you're wasting your time
You know already who's won
So don't go thinking you can make us believe
We are deserted without leader or brief
Jesus has promised and he keeps his word
I'd rather trust him and a two-edged sword
Don't come round here in your clever disguise
It's occupied territory, we know all your spies
We'll stand side by side...
Kool & The Gang: Unite: Better Late Than Never:
"I'm glad to see it means as much to you
As it does to me
Maybe we can celebrate our victory
Over our past
We'll work it out, baby, yes, we can
I didn't even notice
That you were suffering from neglect
While I was out there playing the games of life
I was losing all your respect, whoa...
Better late than never
(Better late, better late)
Better late than never, whoa-whoa...
(Oh, better late)
We're gonna work things out..."
Music videos used for transformative purposes
#TeamHumanityWorldChampions