The BBC apologized and compensated the Horenstein family of Netiv Ha’asara in the Gaza border communities after entering their home to film days after the October 7 massacre without permission, British Jewish community outlet Jewish News reported on Friday.
The BBC confirmed the matter in its own report on Saturday evening, citing Jewish News.
“Not only did terrorists break into our home and try to murder us, but then the BBC crew entered again, this time with a camera as a weapon, without permission or consent,” Jewish News quoted Tzeela Horenstein as saying. “It was another intrusion into our lives."
"We felt that everything that was still under our control had been taken from us.”
The Horensteins received NIS 120,000 from the British public broadcaster, along with an apology in Hebrew from Joaquin Floto, the BBC News Middle East bureau chief, Jewish News reported.
"We wish to express our understanding of the distress you had following the filming of your home after the October 7 attack. We are of course sorry for this,” the statement read, according to Jewish News. “Our entry into your home resulted from a good-faith mistake, as we believed consent had been given… The BBC had no intention to harm you or cause you discomfort.”
'Freedom of the press is not unlimited'
According to Jewish News, Tzeela, her husband Simon, and their two children survived the massacre due to their front door twisting and jamming after Hamas terrorists "attached an explosive device to the door and detonated it."
Tzeela discovered the BBC report by chance, she told Jewish News, saying that "even in times of war there are limits, and when a media outlet crosses them, it must be held responsible.”
The Horensteins were represented by lawyer Ori Eldar, who echoed the sentiment to Jewish News, noting that "the BBC is not just a media outlet – it is a British public institution," and must be held to a level of responsibility "higher than that of any other media organisation.”
"The media does very important work, but it must also show sensitivity, especially in areas stricken by trauma. Freedom of the press is not unlimited.”