BBC News coverage of terrorism in Israel in May 2015

Throughout the month of May the BBC News website’s reporting on terror incidents in Israel amounted to a brief mention (in an article on another subject) of an attack which took place in the A-Tur neighbourhood of Jerusalem on May 20^th. Over twenty percent of the word-count in the two paragraphs devoted to the topic amplified inaccurate anonymous hearsay.

As far as BBC audiences are aware, therefore, that one vehicular attack against members of the security forces was the only incident to have taken place throughout the month of May.

The Israel Security Agency’s report for May 2015 (Hebrew) shows that the total number of attacks during that month was 152, with 91 of those attacks taking place in Judea & Samaria and 60 in Jerusalem. The majority of the attacks involved the throwing of petrol bombs and in addition there were two incidents of live fire and 16 incidents involving the use of IEDs. Six civilians and three members of the security forces were injured in three vehicular attacks and two stabbings. One incident of missile fire from the Gaza Strip was recorded.

Among the many incidents ignored by the BBC were:

May 3^rd: an attempted stabbing near Yakir.

May 4^th: an attempted stabbing in Jerusalem.

May 11^th: a stabbing at Mishor Adumim Junction.

May 14^th: a vehicular attack at the Alon Shvut junction.

May 24^th: two stabbings in Jerusalem.

May 26^th: missile fire from the Gaza Strip – although the Israeli response to that attack was reported by BBC Arabic.

In other words, BBC audiences were informed of 0.65% of the terror incidents which actually did take place in Israel during May 2015 and – despite six civilians having been wounded – there was no coverage whatsoever of attacks against civilians.

Since the beginning of the year the BBC has reported 1.03% of the terror attacks which have actually taken place.