Hamas man spills beans on appropriation of construction materials. And the BBC?

...Will the BBC now stop using the qualifier “Israel says” and carry out some serious investigative reporting on this subject – not least the obvious failures of the UN administered ‘Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism’ which supposedly ensures that building materials are not misappropriated for the purposes of terrorism?

Hadar Sela..
BBC Watch..
12 August '15..

Over the past year the BBC has devoted considerable multi-platform coverage to the topic of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip with the main recurrent theme being the shortage of construction materials. Time and time again the obviously relevant topic of the potential appropriation of construction materials for purposes of terrorism has been presented in the qualified terms of “Israel says” but no objective, serious reporting on that topic has been evident.anniversary Knell written

“Israel and Egypt maintain tight border restrictions on the coastal enclave, which have severely hampered reconstruction efforts. They say these are needed for security.” (BBC News website, 8/7/15)

“Israel tightly monitors the import of building materials and equipment into Gaza, arguing that militants could use them to rebuild tunnels and carry out attacks.” (BBC World Service, 8/12/14)

“Donors have pledged more than $5bn but Israel strictly regulates the import of building materials and equipment into the Palestinian territory. They say that militants could use the equipment to carry out attacks.” (BBC News website, 8/12/14)

“…but Israel bans the import of building materials for private use, saying that militants use them to build tunnels.” (BBC Radio 4, 18/9/14)

“The UN estimates that around 17 thousand houses were destroyed in the conflict. But, a blockade is in place stopping companies from importing building supplies. Israel says it fears that militants would use the materials to rebuild tunnels which could be used for renewed cross-border attacks by militant fighters.” (BBC television news, 5/9/14)anniversary Knell audio

On at least one occasion, BBC audiences were told that Israel was not allowing construction materials into the Gaza Strip at all and another recurring theme has been the claim that a lack of building materials – supposedly caused by border restrictions imposed by Israel – will bring about more conflict.

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