Exclusive: Al Jazeera warned by Parliament for covert filming
Broadcaster gets its knuckles rapped for breaking rules during its undercover Israeli embassy sting
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Al Jazeera will receive a ticking off from parliamentary authorities after an undercover reporter filmed within the Palace of Westminster for its investigation into alleged Israeli influence on British democracy.
Posing as an Israel activist, the journalist befriended the embassy’s political officer, Shai Masot, gaining access to private events and and meeting senior figures at the forefront of putting Israel’s case in the UK. In one of the four part series, the reporter was seen introducing himself to Masot during an event in the Commons.
After the case was raised by blogger Jonathan Hoffman, a parliamentary spokesperson said: “To ensure we are able to offer reasonable and practical opportunities for reporting on Parliamentary business we require the full co-operation of all journalists to ensure that regulations governing filming and broadcasting within both public and non-public areas of the Houses of Parliament are adhered to.
“The House of Commons will be reminding this broadcaster of the rules and asking them not to do it again without seeking prior permission.”
Hoffman said: “It’s hardly surprising. When you set out to fuel the antisemitic trope about Jewish power and vilify Jews for reacting to antisemitism, why should you worry about such niceties as getting permission to film?”
OFCOM is currently assessing a complaint over elements of the first programme, before deciding whether to launch a formal probe.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.