Gaza journalists operating under Hamas media controls were given platforms in Westminster

Researcher Emma Schubart of the Henry Jackson Society revealed exclusively to the Jerusalem Post that Gaza-based journalists who worked within a Hamas-controlled media environment were given prominent platforms in Westminster. The finding follows comments by photojournalist Motaz Azaiza describing a Hamas-administered WhatsApp group coordinating media messaging. Several journalists from this environment were hosted by British MPs.

Researcher Emma Schubart of the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) revealed exclusively to the Jerusalem Post that Gaza-based journalists who operated within what photojournalist Motaz Azaiza described as a "Hamas-controlled media environment" were given prominent platforms in Westminster. Azaiza stated in a September 3 podcast interview that a Hamas-administered WhatsApp group called Smart included every journalist working in Gaza, coordinated media messaging, and organized campaigns against journalists whose reporting deviated from the sanctioned line. Azaiza added that photographers had "become accustomed to lowering their cameras" when civilians criticized Hamas. HJS reported that several journalists from this environment were welcomed into Westminster. Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh was hosted in Parliament in September 2025, with Labour MP Yuan Yang co-hosting an event and Labour MP Afzal Khan calling the meeting "an honor." Azaiza himself addressed a Nakba Day gathering at Westminster Central Hall in May 2024. SNP MP Brendan O'Hara co-organized a cross-party panel with Oxfam GB where Gaza journalist Abubaker Abed spoke. Al Jazeera and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians held a Westminster screening of the documentary Gaza in October 2024 with Al Jazeera correspondent Youmna El Sayed as a panellist. Schubart has written to the Speaker of the House on these findings.