Over 40
protesters have occupied the Headquarters of BBC Scotland in Glasgow,
demanding mainstream media coverage for the 2,400 Palestinian prisoners
who began hunger strikes today. These actions mark a development from
the ongoing hunger strikes which have been taking place since December.
Currently, the individuals who have been on hunger strike
longest are Thae’r Halahi and Bilal Diab, both of whom are currently on
their 50th day without food. This protest is organised to challenge the
BBC’s continued silence around this recent escalation of Palestinian
resistance – it’s refusal to report any of the actions that have lead to
this decision by 2,400 Palestinians calls into question it’s
impartiality.
The
demonstrators entered the building before midday and are currently
holding the main lobby, chanting “BBC Shame on you, put the prisoners on
the news” and “Hunger Strikers will not bow, free the political
prisoners now”.
A demonstration
has been called in Glasgow for Palestinian Prisoners Day, which will
rally at George Square at 6pm before marching to the BBC offices in
Glasgow. The demonstration will call upon the UK media to acknowledge
the Karamah strike and the plight of Palestinian prisoners. During the
hungers strikes taken by Khader Adnan and Hana Shalabi, the BBC
refrained to comment amidst international concern for those on hunger
strike, choosing only to publish stories after both prisoners had been
offered deals from Israel for their release.
The actions
today take place two days after thousands of international activists
attempted to fly into Ben Gurion airport demanding the right to travel
to the West Bank on invitation of the Mayor of Bethlehem. There are
currently around 50 activists being held in detention, including four
Scottish nationals, who are refusing food and water in solidarity with
the Karamah Hunger Strike.
The
demonstrations around the issue of the hunger strikers are being
organised by student Palestine societies in Scotland, with the support
of various organisations, uniting under the banner of ‘We Are All Hana
Shalabi’.
On Saturday
24th March, over 500 people marched from George Square to the BBC
Scotland HQ in Glasgow (link for pictures below) demanding that they
cover stories about Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Today,
demonstrations have been called across Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee,
Edinburgh and Glasgow. Many of those marching have been participating
in a global hunger strike from 7am to 7pm.
One of the
occupiers said, “The Karamah Hunger Strike represents a potentially
significant moment in the history of the Palestinian struggle. The fact
that 2400 Palestinian prisoners are on hunger strike against the
apartheid policies of the Israeli occupation shows the desire of
Palestinians to have their freedom from prison, and freedom from
occupation. The BBC is complicit through their silence of the ongoing
situation in Palestine, and we are occupying today to highlight that the
magnitude of this issue and this injustice demands that the media cover
it.”
**UPDATES**:
14:52
Senior BBC official agrees with meeting with activists over their poor
coverage of the hunger strikes. Protesters have left, meeting just
broke-up.
15:23
Official denies being influenced by BBC in London or UK foreign policy,
claims they serve a ‘certain demographic’ admits there could have been
coverage of Scottish solidarity actions
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