PRODUCERS of a documentary about Israeli attacks on hospitals and medics in Gaza have said they fear the BBC may never let it see the light of day – as almost 35,000 people signed a petition demanding its release.
Basement Films were commissioned by the BBC to make a documentary about Israel targeting Palestinian healthcare infrastructure but the broadcaster has since blocked it from coming out.
The corporation has blamed the furore around a different documentary which it pulled from its iPlayer streaming platform after controversy around it featuring the son of a Hamas government official.
But the “spineless” broadcaster has come under fire for “suppressing” Basement Films’ documentary and faces questions about whether there is “improper influence being exercised to prevent its screening”.
In post on Twitter/X, the company said: “We are doubtful that our film investigating attacks on hospitals and medics in Gaza, produced with [the BBC] over 14 months, cleared multiple times at all levels, containing graphic footage of attacks and searing testimony of survivors of those attacks, will be released by [the BBC].
“We apologise to the survivors of these attacks, those alleging torture and the families of those killed. They all doubted whether [the BBC] would ever tell their stories. We thought they would; they still can. We are desperate for this film to be released. Please watch this space."
Scottish historian William Dalrymple (below), one of the most renowned living historians of the British Empire, responded to the company’s statement, saying the BBC were “shameful and spineless”.
He said: “You've lost all respect and all claims to truth telling during this, the supreme moral test of our lifetime.
"The largest mass slaughter and ethnic cleansing of civilians in modern times is underway and you are too timid to show a documentary you yourself commissioned from some of the country's most acclaimed award-winning documentary makers. Utterly shameful.”
Former top government spin doctor Alastair Campbell said he and former Tory MP Rory Stewart had discussed the film on their hit podcast The Rest is Politics.
He added: “The BBC commissioned the film, which was delivered on time and having gone through all the editorial processes and week by week excuses given for why the time is not right to show it.
“Inexplicable unless there is improper influence being exercised to prevent its screening.”
A petition demanding its release has reached 34,418 signatures at the time of writing. The petition states: “The BBC is suppressing a documentary about the plight of doctors in Gaza, saying the delay is linked to an internal review of a different film by a different producer. It makes no sense.
“The UK Government still supports [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s murderous regime – that’s why the BBC bosses won’t show the film. But airing Gaza: Medics Under Fire could help persuade MPs to bring an end to the horror.”
The BBC was approached for comment.
