An ‘Inconceivable Atrocity’: Uncle of Shiri Bibas Joins October 7 Survivors’ Lawsuit Targeting Qatari Network Al Jazeera

Latest Developments

Complaint Against Al Jazeera Filed With Federal Court: Morris Schneider, the uncle of Shiri Bibas — the Israeli hostage murdered in Gaza along with her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir — has joined a lawsuit against the Al Jazeera network filed by dozens of survivors of the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities in southern Israel. Following the submission of the complaint to a federal court in Washington, DC, Schneider said, “the cruel murder of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel by terrorists from Gaza is an inconceivable atrocity that has destroyed our family forever and has caused pain to millions of good people around the world.” As well as his niece and her two sons, Schneider’s mother Margit Silberman and her husband Yossi were also murdered by Hamas terrorists during their rampage at Kibbutz Nir Oz near the border with Gaza.
Lawsuit Highlights Al Jazeera’s Collusion With Hamas: The lawsuit was filed on behalf of dozens of victims of the Hamas massacre by Shurat HaDin — Israel Law Center, an independent legal advocacy organization. “Terrorist organizations do not operate alone. They need financial support, logistical networks, and media outlets to advance their agenda. Al Jazeera served as an agent of the terrorist organization Hamas,” Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, Shurat HaDin’s president, said. The lawsuit highlights the exclusive interviews with Hamas leaders carried out by Al Jazeera, claiming that the Qatari-owned network knowingly assisted and helped terrorist organizations spread propaganda, recruit activists, and incite violence, Israel Hayom reported. “US law is clear: those who knowingly provide substantial assistance to terrorists are as guilty as those who carry out the attacks,” Darshan-Leitner said.
‘I’m Sorry I Couldn’t Protect You All’: Tens of thousands of grieving Israelis lined the route of the Bibas family’s funeral on February 26 before the bodies were laid to rest at Tsoher cemetery, near the kibbutz from where they were abducted. “Shiri, this is the closest I’ve been to you since October 7th, and I can’t kiss or hug you, and it’s breaking me!” Yarden Bibas — her husband and Ariel and Kfir’s father — said during an address to the gathered mourners. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,” he added.

FDD Expert Response

“Al Jazeera can no longer hide behind the mantle of professional journalism. The war triggered by the October 7 atrocities has made that abundantly clear. From amplifying Hamas propaganda, to employing Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives, to working with the terror groups to shape its coverage of events in Gaza, Al Jazeera has amassed quite the rap sheet. Israel took the Qatari-owned network off the air last spring. This lawsuit could be step one in an American game of catch-up.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst

“The Bibas family has become a symbol for the incredible pain and loss of October 7, 2023, and a reminder that for too many, the tragedy is still ongoing. The Bibas family, like the Goldberg-Polin family and others, fought for hundreds of days to get their loved ones back, holding on to hope that they would come back alive. There are dozens of hostages in Gaza whose fate is still unknown; their families remain stuck in the horror of October 7.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network