Full Breakdown
i24NEWS Crew Attacked While Filming Antisemitism Documentary in Belfast
8/16/2026, 9:57:47 PM
Attack on the Journalists
Over a weekend in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a crew from i24NEWS’s Hebrew-language channel was assaulted while conducting street interviews for a documentary series on rising antisemitism in Europe. Reporter Yonatan Raveh and cameraman Nadav Abbas were approached by a local man who, after hearing they were from Israel, began questioning them, made obscene gestures and shouted an anti-Israel insult. The man attempted to seize their camera equipment, followed the pair, and ultimately threw a large glass beer mug at Abbas, striking his head and causing a cut. Bar security eventually intervened, but Raveh said the security staff initially did nothing to stop the aggression.
Context of the Filming Project
The incident occurred at a well-known bar complex in Belfast and was part of the third installment of Raveh’s series documenting antisemitic incidents across Europe. The team has previously faced verbal harassment in the city, which Raveh described as reflecting a “big divide” between Catholic communities that are largely anti-Israel and Protestant communities that tend to be pro-Israel. Similar confrontations have been reported by the crew in Madrid and New York, where they were pressured by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to delete footage.
Team’s Response and Immediate Aftermath
Following the assault, Raveh and Abbas sought assistance from nearby security and attempted to call the police. After the attacker left, the crew left the venue, declined to wait for police arrival, and returned to Israel so Abbas could receive medical treatment. Raveh emphasized that the team was trying to remain peaceful and that the attack marked the first physical violence they had experienced in Northern Ireland.
Broader Pattern of Hostility
The Belfast episode adds to a series of hostile encounters reported by the i24NEWS team while covering antisemitism in various cities. The crew’s experiences illustrate the challenges journalists face when reporting on contentious geopolitical issues in public spaces, especially in regions where local sentiments are sharply divided.
Next Steps for the Documentary
The i24NEWS team plans to continue the documentary series after Abbas’s treatment, aiming to highlight the prevalence of antisemitic hostility across Europe despite the risks encountered by journalists on the ground.
