Kay Burley’s remarks about Palestinian ambassador ‘potentially misleading’
Sky News has said on-air remarks by Kay Burley about the Palestinian ambassador “gave a potentially misleading representation” of his views.
A total of 1,537 complaints were made to the media watchdog Ofcom about the Breakfast With Kay Burley programme on October 10, which took place after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
On Saturday, news presenter Anna Jones said on Sky News: “Earlier this month we reported that the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot, said in reference to the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 that ‘Israel had it coming’.
“We recognise that this is not what Dr Zomlot had said in an earlier interview.
“Sky News also accepts that this gave a potentially misleading representation of Dr Zomlot’s views.”
On Wednesday, Ofcom said “The complainants alleged Kay Burley misrepresented comments made by the Palestinian ambassador.”
Up to 100,000 people attend pro-Palestine protests in London
The Metropolitan Police has said that “up to 100,000” people are attending the pro-Palestine protests in London this afternoon.
Pro-Palestine supporters chant controversial slogan in London
Pro-Palestinian protesters in central London on Saturday chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, despite an ongoing controversy around the slogan’s meaning.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has previously branded the slogan antisemitic and claimed that it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel.
Jewish groups including the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust have asked prosecutors to clarify if chanting the slogan is a criminal offence.
However, those who defend the slogan describe it as a “long-standing protest chant” that calls for a homeland for the Palestinian people.
Pictured: Pro-Palestine protesters march in London
Thousands of protesters have gathered in London to march in solidarity with Palestine
PA
Cleverly calls for restraint from Israeli military
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Saturday he had spoken to the Israeli government about its duty to act in accordance with international law and to preserve civilian lives in Gaza, and for its military to show restraint.
“I have spoken directly to the Israeli Government, about their duty to respect international law and the importance of preserving civilian lives in Gaza,” Cleverly told the Cairo Peace Summit hosted by Egypt.
“Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, I have called for discipline and professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military.”
Thousands gather for pro-Palestine march in London
Thousands of protesters gathered at Marble Arch in central London on Saturday as part of a pro-Palestine march.
Attendees held signs that read “Freedom for Palestine” and “Stop Bombing Gaza”.
Chants included “Judaism yes, Zionism no, the state of Israel must go”, and “5, 6, 7, 8, Israel is a terrorist state”.
The platform at Marble Arch Tube station was briefly closed due to the crowds.
Full coverage can be found here.
Gaza death toll rises
Up to 4,385 people have died in Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry has said.
Those killed include 1,756 children and 976 women while the number of those injured has increased to 13,651.
Israel says number of hostages in Gaza now at 210
According to an Israeli military spokesman, they have so far notified the families of 210 hostages taken by Hamas militants.
French foreign ministry calls for a humanitarian truce after opening of Rafah border
The French Foreign Ministry has called for a humanitarian truce to allow the delivery of aid into Gaza following the opening of the Rafah border crossing from Egypt.
Jordan’s King Abdullah condemns Israel over Gaza attacks
Arab leaders condemned Israel’s two-week-old bombardment of Gaza on Saturday and demanded renewed efforts to reach a Middle East peace settlement to end a decades-long cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Speaking at the Cairo Peace Summit, Jordan’s King Abdullah denounced what he termed global silence about Israel’s attacks on the enclave and urged an even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
“The message the Arab world is hearing is that Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones,” he said, adding he was outraged and grieved by acts of violence waged against innocent civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
“The Israeli leadership must realise once and for all that a state can never thrive if it is built on a foundation of injustice … Our message to the Israelis should be that we want a future of peace and security for you and the Palestinians.”
