LBC presenter sorry for querying Hamas rapes gives fee to Diaspora Alliance
search

The latest Jewish News

Read this week’s digital edition

Click Here

LBC presenter sorry for querying Hamas rapes gives fee to Diaspora Alliance

Natasha Devon says when she corrected a caller to her phone-in programme she made an ‘erroneous commentary’

LBC's Natasha Devon posted a two-page apology on X/Twitter
LBC's Natasha Devon posted a two-page apology on X/Twitter

The LBC presenter at the centre of a media storm for denying Hamas perpetrated sexual violence on 7 October has posted an apology online before saying she has donated her fee for last Saturday’s show to Diaspora Alliance, whose UK director wants to ‘de-centre’ Israel from Judaism. 

Speaking to listeners on 27 April about the rapes and mutilations, Natasha Devon tried to correct one caller, Lucy, saying: “There are conflicting stories about that. There are some academics saying that there is absolutely no evidence that any sexual assaults took place.”

In her apology on X/Twitter on Tuesday, Devon wrote: “I made the point that it is sometimes difficult to establish precise facts when reporting or discussing the situation in Israel and Gaza”.

She admitted there was “credible evidence some of the hostages taken on October 7th were subject to horrific sexual violence. I want to state here unequivocally that I believe them and I don’t dispute their testimonies.”

Apologising “unreservedly”, she said journalists and broadcasters were under “immense pressure” every day “not to put a foot wrong and mis-speak”. She added: “I will do better in the future.”

In the two page post, claiming her remarks were “an error of research” and her own “naivety”, she added: “I’m disappointed with myself for allowing this to happen. I will do better in the future.”

Devon concluded by saying she will repeat her apology on air on 4 May and is donating her fee for last week’s show to Diaspora Alliance, which is an international Jewish organisation that promotes anti-Zionist views.

Screenshot Twitter/X Natasha Devon, 1 of 2

Apologising “unreservedly” for the “mistake”, Devon said journalists and broadcasters were under “immense pressure” every day “not to put a foot wrong and mis-speak.”

Speaking exclusively to Jewish News, Lucy said: “If this was a genuine apology there was no need for Natasha to qualify it by reiterating her views on Israel’s response.

“It may be a good idea that if Natasha Devon is really sorry for her horrific misjudgment that she contacts the Israeli embassy and asks to see the footage that Hamas filmed on that fateful day.”

Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News

Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.

For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.

Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.

You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.

100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...

Engaging

Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.

Celebrating

There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.

Pioneering

In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.

Campaigning

Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.

Easy access

In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.

Voice of our community to wider society

The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.

We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.

read more: