'Go and be with Shireen': Israeli far-right threaten BBC reporters during 'Flag March'

BBC reporters were assaulted during an extremist Israeli 'Flag March' in Jerusalem on Sunday, a journalist  for the broadcaster said on social media. 

Tom Bateman, a Middle East correspondent for the British broadcasting giant, said the BBC team had their equipment broken during an attack by Israelis participating in the far-right march. 

He added that one individual spat at them, and said: "Go and be with Shireen." 

We witnessed similar in the Muslim quarter. Shortly after, our BBC team were assaulted causing our cameraman to lose part of his equipment. We were later spat at. One shouted: “Go and be with Shireen” https://t.co/dug5Eg8aRT

— Tom Bateman (@tombateman) May 30, 2022

Shireen Abu Akleh was a veteran Al Jazeera reporter killed by Israeli forces when they stormed the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. 

Her death sparked global outrage over the crisis of impunity emboldening Israeli forces to undermine fundamental rights such as a free press. 

On Sunday, when thousands of Israelis surged through the streets of Jerusalem and chanted "Death to Arabs", several other attacks on journalists were reported. 

Israeli marchers were seen assaulting a France 24 reporter on camera. 

The journalist, who was standing in front of men wearing Israeli flags, was seen clutching her forehead while reporting after being hit on the head with a bottle.

The moment when Israeli settlers interrupted France 24 reporter while covering the events in Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/XMM6LVi0K8

— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) May 29, 2022

Iyad Harb, the police correspondent for the Kan public broadcaster’s Arabic station, was taken to hospital after he was assaulted by masked men in Sheikh Jarrah, according to the Times of Israel. 

Harb said the men who beat him were speaking Hebrew and police officers did not assist him despite his appeals for help, reported the Hebrew website. 

At least 40 Palestinians were injured on Sunday by Israeli forces and settlers using rubber bullets, truncheons and pepper spray, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. 

Videos shared on social media show Israelis harassing and assaulting local Palestinians, including the elderly.