UK gov. restricts local media coverage of SAS ops. in Gaza
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The Defense and Security Media Advisory Committee has sent notices to local media platforms directing them to refrain from circulating reports of British special forces operating in the Middle East.
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The Union Jack flag flies above the Houses of Parliament from the Victoria Tower in London, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 (AP)
The UK government has sent notices to local media institutes, directing them to suppress information about the activities of the UK Special Air Services (SAS) in Gaza, the Socialist Worker newspaper reported.
The newspaper, which is affiliated with the Socialist Workers Party, revealed that it had received a "D Notice" from the Defense and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee, requesting that they refrain from publishing any details concerning SAS operations.
Read more: UK supports Israeli war, opposes ceasefire in Palestine: Minister
"D Notices" are used by the British state to censor news that might be damaging to its interests. The Defense and Security Media Advisory Committee is chaired by Paul Wyatt Director General Security Policy at the Ministry of Defense.
Socialist Worker editor notes that the current "D notice" is regarding British Special Forces operating in the Middle East.
An email sent to the newspaper reads:
"Reports have started to appear in some publications claiming that UK Special Forces have deployed to sensitive areas of the Middle East and then linking that deployment to hostage rescue/evacuation operations.
May I take this opportunity to remind editors that the publication of such information contravenes the DSMA notice code. I, therefore, advise that claims of such deployments should not be published nor broadcast without first seeking Defence and Security Media advice.
This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of classified information about Special Forces and other MOD units engaged in security, intelligence and counter-terrorist operations, including their methods, techniques, and activities.
Such disclosure could reveal details of operations or operating methods and techniques before, during and after their execution which would bestow an advantage on an adversary which could endanger national security and increase the risk to UK lives.”
The email by DSMA had been referring to a report by The Daily Mail newspaper, published on October 28, about the UK's elite Special Air Services (SAS) being on standby in Cyprus under the guise of intervening and releasing British nationals held captive in Gaza.
The initial report pointed out that an alleged "rescue mission" of British nationals in Gaza is not reasonable in light of the heavy Israeli bombardments of Gaza. The report theorizes that the more likely purpose of the special forces is to cooperate with the IOF in their mission to "annihilate Hamas".
Read more: Waving Palestine flag, chanting from 'river to sea' an offense in UK
Earlier this week, the head of the Metropolitan police, Commissioner Mark Rowley, declared that his forces will be “absolutely ruthless” during pro-Palestine protests but said prosecutions would only happen when the law is broken.
During his interview on Sky News’ Trevor Phillips On Sunday show, Rowley claimed that “many more” arrests are due in the coming weeks.
“We will robustly enforce up to the line of the law,” he said, adding, “We’re going to be absolutely ruthless and we have been and you’ll see many more arrests over the next week or so.”
