BDS calls for boycott of Arabic channels serving as 'mouthpieces' for Israel
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement’s Arabic-language account published a call to boycott what they called “the mouthpieces of the Israeli enemy that speak Arabic”.
The targeted channels include the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, MBC, Al Hadath channels, Emirati-owned Sky News Arabia, streaming platform Shahid and Lebanese news network MTV.
The movement says these channels are “not only directed to consecrate and spread Arab normalisation with the Israeli enemy, but they also constitute an integral part of the weapons of the colonial war on Arab consciousness, and of the persistent and desperate attempts to colonise the minds of the peoples of our Arab region with despair”.
The evidence shared by BDS mostly constitutes reports published by these channels that they say corresponds with Israel’s narrative in its war on Gaza and Lebanon, such as the claim that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, and sometimes interviews with Israeli officials.
The movement has called on people to refrain from watching or subscribing to these channels, pressure Arab journalists syndicates to boycott these channels and to commit to the opposition to normalisation.
The statement comes as public anger towards many of these channels has increased.
Iraqi protesters in Baghdad even ransacked MBC’s offices in the city after a report by the network where they linked Hamas, Hezbollah and armed Iraqi factions with “terrorism”.
Iraqi regulators then suspended the licence of the Saudi-owned channel, saying its duty was to “deter violators of national values ??and public morals” and that MBC had violated the rules in “its assaults on the martyrs”.
Some have said the inclusion of MTV, a station largely focused on internal Lebanese politics relating to the war, may be overlooking local complications and nuances.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the war against Israel has drawn domestic debate ever since 8 October 2023, when it decided to open a solidarity front with the Gaza Strip.
The debate only intensified when Israel launched a widespread bombing campaign on the country last month and a ground invasion weeks ago.
Lebanese channels such as MTV have been heavily criticised domestically for their criticism of Hezbollah’s actions, and for articles and reports that were deemed dangerous and unethical by many in Lebanon.
Scrutiny stepped up following an Israeli bombing campaign on al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked finance group that was targeted by Israeli strikes on Sunday.
Days before the strike, MTV had run reports on the group, wondering if they may be Israel’s next targets.
Later, the head of Hezbollah’s media relations office, Mohammed Afif, addressed media channels in a news conference, saying that “media freedom does not allow you to incite or be complicit in murder”.
Despite the controversies and ethical questions raised, there is an understanding that many of these topics are local debates that Lebanese people have the right to have with each other, particularly regarding Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon and its decision to go to war.
“Boycotting has humanitarian goals… but when you drown in political corners, you lose sight of your influence on public opinion,” said Jad Shahrour, spokesperson for the Samir Kassir Eyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom.
Shahrour said that adding MTV to the list endangers its staff and exposes them to more potential threats and accusations, especially in the tense political atmosphere Lebanon is currently experiencing.
“The Lebanese fabric is in danger, and we are nearing an explosion into what may look like a civil war,” he said.
The BDS movement takes its inspiration from the boycott movement against apartheid South Africa and seeks to pressure Israel into ending its occupation and violations by peaceful means.