Latest news with #TheSettlers'
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
UK sanctions 'godmother' of Israeli settler movement featured in Louis Theroux documentary
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT has announced sanctions against the 'godmother of the settler movement', along with other key individuals and organisations supporting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement yesterday as he revealed the UK will be suspending free trade negotiations with Israel. It comes amid swirling international condemnation of Israel's renewed military offensive in Gaza, coupled with its sustained 11-week aid embargo into the strip. The EU, along with Canada, also threatened to take action over the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Gaza, with the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas promising to act after 'a strong majority' of its 27 member states also backed a review of its trade agreement with Israel. The United Nations warned yesterday that if aid supplies into the region continue to be impeded, 14,000 Palestinian babies could die of starvation. Posted to the UK Government's official website on Tuesday, sanction plans revealed by Westminster will target three individuals, including 'high-profile extremist settler leader' Daniella Weiss. Weiss, leader of Israel settler organisation Nachala, and labelled the 'godmother of the settler movement' by journalist Louis Theroux, appeared in his recent documentary 'The Settlers' which explored the actions of Jewish settlers in the West Bank, also known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Advertisement A group of armed Jewish settlers raids the Old City area of Hebron, West Bank. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In the documentary, Weiss denies that settler violence against Palestinians takes place, and even shoves Theroux, prompting him to call her a 'sociopath'. Weiss has responded to the sanctions placed on her, promising that hundreds of Jewish Israeli families 'are prepared and ready to implement settlement in Gaza – immediately'. The UK's measures will introduce travel bans and financial restrictions against her and two other individuals – Harel Libi and Zohar Sabah. Libi is the owner of a construction company and has been involved in 'perpetuating acts of aggression and violence' against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Westminster. His company Libi Construction and Infrastructure has supported the establishment of outposts (settlements built without Israeli authorisation) and will face an asset freeze as a result. Sabah is the owner of an illegal farming outpost built by Libi – Coco's Farm – and has been implicated in 'threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence' against Palestinians. He will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban. The Nachala movement will also face an asset freeze for its funding of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Louis Theroux, the director of the viral documentary series, 'The Settlers'?
Image credits: Getty Images Recently, a new documentary titled 'The Settlers' was released on BBC iPlayer . Directed by Louis Theroux , the documentary is shot in the Israeli settlements in the West Bank where Theroux is revisiting the subject of a documentary he made in 2011, The Ultra Zionists. In both these documentaries he focuses on Jewish people who, motivated by religious nationalism, have broken international law and settled in Palestine. While Theroux may have made the documentary to shed light on the increased number of people following the ideology and how it had affected the lives of the Palestinians, his work has been receiving rave reviews on social media with people commending him on showcasing the mentality and activities of the settlers. "Louis Theroux you proved why you are thee best at documentaries, you shone the light of truth on these maniacs without breaking a sweat. They dug their own holes with their own mouths" wrote a person on X. "The horror - the daily horror - of what happens in the West Bank gets far too little mainstream coverage. It's great to see someone with Theroux's profile expose a new audience to this reality. Watch it, share it." wrote another. But who is Louis Theroux and why is his documentary the talk of the hour? Who is Louis Theroux? 120742794 Born on May 20th, 1970, Louis Theroux is a British-American documentarian born in Singapore. He was born to Anne Castle, an English teacher and Paul Theroux, an American travel writer and novelist. Theroux spent most of his childhood in London where he attended the Westminster School before graduating with first-class honours from the Magdalen College, Oxford in Modern History. After graduation he moved to the states where he began his journalism career with Metro Silicon Valley and then worked for a magazine Spy. He also ventured into the television industry as a correspondent for Michael Moore's TV Nation. He has been married to Nancy Strang since 2012 and shares three children with her. Throughout his career of three decades, he has explored various other profiles such as journalist, broadcaster and author. Louis Theroux- the Documentarian Image credits: X/@theafroaussie While his entire professional life has been a part of media one way or the other, what Theroux is famous for are his documentaries, especially with BBC. He has created many famous works such as Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends and When Louis Met... Through his work, he has explored various topics such as crime, justice, and unusual unique themes as well. He has travelled to countries such as Israel, Nigeria, South Africa and more. However, during and after Covid, Theroux started a podcast with BBC Radio 4 titled 'Grounded with Louis Theroux' and in 2023 he moved to create 'The Louis Theroux Podcast' with Spotify. 'The Settlers' marks Theroux's first work of documentation post the lockdown and thus was eagerly awaited by fans of his work. Why is 'The Settlers' going viral Image credits: X/@theafroaussie Louis Theroux's 'The Settlers' comes at a time when the Israel-Hamas war is an ongoing reality. While he had already explored the topic in his 2011 documentary, as mentioned above, this time more eyes were on 'The Settlers' as it has been shot in a region that has been plagued by war and deaths for more than a year. In his documentary viewers not only get to see the mindset of the settlers but also of the military guarding the area and how they treat Jews and Palestinians. Theroux can also be seen in conversation with Daniella Weiss , who has been the head of the settler movement for the past 50 years.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leaked Emails Show BBC Chiefs' Concern Over Confidence In Bullying, Harassment & Whistleblowing Procedures
EXCLUSIVE: A BBC staff survey has exposed a 'really concerning' level of confidence over how the corporation handles bullying and harassment complaints, according to internal emails from the corporation's news boss and interim content chief. The memos from Deborah Turness and Kate Phillips, both sent to their teams this week and seen by Deadline, hone in on misconduct as a key issue, coming as a high-profile workplace culture review gets set to publish in just a few days' time. More from Deadline Kirsty Wark To Receive BAFTA Fellowship: Broadcaster & Journalist Will Be Awarded The British Academy's Top Honor BBC Behind 'P Diddy: The Rise And Fall' Doc; Channel 4 AI Trailer; SXSW London Premieres; Rudi Völler Sky Show; Karlovy Vary's John Garfield Tribute - Global Briefs Louis Theroux On Returning To The West Bank After 15 Years For BBC Doc 'The Settlers' & Being "Perpetrator Focused" - Guest Column Phillips' email said that, 'really concerningly,' confidence that bullying or harassment concerns will be dealt with appropriately had dropped by 6%, according to the staff survey. In her email to her team, Turness noted: 'Our scores on how we handle bullying and harassment are not where they should be, with 48% thinking we deal with concerns appropriately and only 43% of people saying they have confidence in our whistleblowing policy.' Overall, Deadline understands 58% of BBC employees believe bullying or harassment concerns will be dealt with appropriately and 51% say they have confidence in whistleblowing policies. Turness' email went on to say: 'It's really important that this improves – we are committed to doing better.' She cited how the workplace culture review will 'include changes and actions that will be put in place to address the findings.' Sparked by ex-BBC News anchor Huw Edwards' guilty plea, the workplace culture review will publish Monday first to staff and then to press and the public, with chair Samir Shah telling staff two days ago: 'This is an important moment for our BBC.' Bullying at the BBC has been under the microscope following a series of allegations made against top talent and senior figures. Deadline revealed that one of Turness' top brass, Breakfast boss Richard Frediani, was recently given more power after facing allegations of bullying, favoritism and shaking a female colleague. Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed that the BBC had upheld 39 bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment cases over the past three years, but only 13 people had faced disciplinary action and just one staffer was dismissed. Director General Tim Davie has previously said he wants Change Associates, which conducted the workplace culture review, to make practical recommendations about how managers can create a culture where there is 'zero tolerance' for wrongdoing. The corporation already offers wellbeing resources, a bullying and harassment helpline and a counselling service. A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We take all forms of bullying, harassment and misconduct incredibly seriously. We want the BBC to be a place where expectations on standards and behaviour are clear and where people feel confident in raising issues or concerns, if they do occur. That is why we launched the Workplace Culture Review, which will be published shortly.' Best of Deadline Everything We Know About The 'We Were Liars' Show So Far 'Wednesday' Season 2: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
