Whistleblowers expose Gaza 'news'

Are Britain's news editors deferring to a foreign power?

- by SERENA WYLDE

JOURNALISTS working at the BBC, Sky, ITN, the Guardian and The Times have spoken to Declassified UK, on condition they remain anonymous, to reveal how the 'news' reporting on the war on Gaza is skewed and shaped to comply with Israel's requirements.

News editors of major British news organisations held private meetings with Israel's former top military officer, General Aviv Kohavi, one month after the Gaza bombing began, Declassified revealed.

General Kohavi was previously Israel Defense Forces' Commander of the Gaza Division and Director of Military Intelligence, before becoming Chief of General Staff of the IDF.

His meetings took place with Katherine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Richard Burgess, director of news content at the BBC, and Roula Khalaf, editor of the Financial Times.

According to the General's itinerary, further meetings were due to be held with Sky News chairman, David Rhodes, at the Israeli embassy.

The information about General Kohavi's visit and schedule comes from documents obtained in Israel under Freedom of Information by lawyer Elad Man, and seen by Declassified UK. They reveal how his tour of Britain was planned with support from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IDF and Ministry of Defence, to cultivate support for Israel as it escalated its military offensive in Gaza - 'to influence influencers'.

Here are what journalists said across the mainstream outlets where Declassified UK gained access:

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