17/08/2026
Disgusting attack๐ฎ๐ฑ
๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ ๐ท๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐น๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Reports that an Israeli television crew were assaulted whilst filming in Belfast are deeply concerning. A cameraman was reportedly struck on the head with a glass after the crewโs nationality became known.
There can be absolutely no justification for violence or intimidation directed towards journalists because they are Israeli or Jewish. The circumstances of this incident, including its motivation, must be fully investigated by the PSNI. I will be drawing this matter to the attention of the police.
People are entitled to hold strong views about the Middle East but that can never become a licence for hatred or violence against Israeli or Jewish people.
Northern Ireland knows only too well where hatred based on identity can lead. Belfast should be a city where journalists from anywhere in the world can work without fear of assault because of who they are or where they come from.
If this attack was motivated by antisemitism, it must be recognised and condemned unequivocally. There must be no place for antisemitism or any form of intimidation on our streets.
