The BBC vs. Yehuda Glick
The Freedom to Pray
By Keith Johnson
I knew that the Freedom to Pray movement would be challenged by the religious police, the spiritual border patrol, and the political power brokers. I wasn’t sure how the mainstream media would respond or if there would even be a response . . . until now. If this interview of my friend and colleague Rabbi Yehuda Glick is any indication of the perspective of the media regarding the Freedom to Pray movement, then we can add another adversary to the list. After being pushed, prodded, and provoked in this intense interview, Yehuda once again proved that he can survive and even thrive through adversity.
The introduction to the interview sets the stage for an attempted ambush by Stephen Sackur of the BBC show HARDtalk:
“Jerusalem boasts one of the most bitterly contested pieces of real estate in the world, known as the Temple Mount to Jews, the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims. Jews aren’t allowed to pray there. Many Jewish religious leaders say Jews shouldn’t even set foot there. But that consensus is breaking down. My guest today is Yehuda Glick, a rabbi and activist who’s been variously described as a dangerous extremist and a campaigner for religious freedom. Three months ago he survived an assassination attempt. Why does he persist with his divisive campaign on Jerusalem’s holiest ground?”
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February 2, 2015 at 4:08 am /
This attitude shows the end of the UK. Watch this space!
January 12, 2015 at 10:39 pm /
Sad that Stephen Sackur treated Rabbi Glick in such a poor manner! Someone who is standing up for what is right … ALL PEOPLE, TONGUES, and NATIONS TO BE ABLE TO COME WORSHIP AND PRAY AT THE TEMPLEMOUNT!
Yahoveh Elohiym [Mighty One, Power, Strength, Judge, God] has HIS hand on Rabbi Glick and will allow Rabbi to finish out the work HE has for him to do! We continue to lift him and his family up in prayer!
Kudos to Rabbi Glick for handling himself in such a respectful manner while under attack!!!
January 11, 2015 at 3:00 pm /
Stephen Sackur: typical BBC protocol. Arrogant, intimidating, uninformed and anti-Semitic.
The interview gave a clear picture of how cunning the enemy can be. I think the BBC was the perfect “enemy” news agency to do this interview. We must know our enemy.
I don’t agree 100% with rabbi Glick. The Temple Mount should not be a fruit basket of religion. There will always be bickering. It creates an environment of greed and arrogance. Nevertheless, the rabbi finished strong in expressing his desire for peace. (Israel should have removed al-aqsa when they had the chance.)
Ultimately, we need to Wake Up. Start praying for Salvation to flood the BBC. How awesome would it be if knuckleheads stopped lying?!
And pray for the salvation of Israel.
January 10, 2015 at 8:57 pm /
Time Will Tell.
YAH Bless
And thanks for Yehuda.
January 10, 2015 at 1:15 am /
Typical English and BBC hypocrisy. They are very anti-Semitic and pro Palestinian, what do you expect? Yehuda conducted himself very well and composed to all the ugly accusations.
Good job Yehuda!
January 8, 2015 at 11:46 pm /
Though I stand with Rabbi Glick and his position about the Temple Mt., Hardtalk is a program that is like that with everyone interviewed. It’s been on the for years. Rabbi Glick knew what it would be like and I applaud him for his decision to stand his ground.
January 8, 2015 at 7:21 pm /
Hostile interviewer !!!
I prophesy that “Barring an apology by the BBC and Great Britain, this country will be the next Muslim takeover.”
January 8, 2015 at 6:21 pm /
There is no use to talk sense to anyone who refuses to listen. BBC and other media are suffering from a disconnect syndrome. It was the Rabbi who was shot and yet he was perceived as the agitator. BBC reminded me of Pilate who asked “and what is truth?” and without waiting for an answer then turned his back to Jesus . Nothing new under the sun.
January 8, 2015 at 6:19 pm /
bbcworldnews@bbc.com is the email address to complain to BBC world news about the Hard Talk show. I wrote to them that I will never mention BBC to anyone again, except as “the enemy of human rights – heck the enemy of everything human.”
Anyone with other choice remarks, I hope you will email them to this address.
January 8, 2015 at 4:09 pm /
This interview was abominable! The interviewer had his own agenda and was quite immature as he displayed “a good defense is an offense.” An interview is a two-sided venture…not a one-sided one! This man needs a lesson on how to conduct an interview intelligently and fairly!
Also, if the Temple Mount is such a religious and sacred place for the Arabs, then why do they throw parties, play ball, have picnics, jeer the Jews as they ascend quietly to the Mount, and throw molotov cocktails at them. This past spring, I stayed at a guest house in the Old City facing the Kotel which behind it is the Temple Mount. I saw the Jews and how they carried themselves as being true worshipers with their prayers, singing hymns, quiet countenance and high reverence to God…quite opposite to the Arabs at “their” Temple Mount with their disturbing acts of play and violence at a spiritual site.
Compare these two groups of people – the Arabs and the Jews…who would you think should be in control of the Temple Mount?
January 8, 2015 at 3:59 pm /
It was a definite ambush. I wish Rabbi Glick would be interviewed by an American journalist like Shawn Hannity or someone who would give a real interview and not this garbage from the BBC. Stephen Sackur is most pro Arab view and is rude by not allowing Yehuda to fully finish his comment. The BBC is a poor excuse for a news organization. All Stephen did was hurl accusations without real proof of any of his statements. God will take care of those who disrespect His people. We should all pray for this poor uninformed interviewer for his salvation.
January 8, 2015 at 3:36 pm /
Congratulations to both the Brit and Glick for keeping it “civil.” Tense, but good interview. Although it would be contrary to the Israeli law, and would bring protest from almost every quarter, the basis for peace in Jerusalem will ultimately be compliance with ALL of Yah’s laws, for people of ALL nations. May that day come soon! Personally, I consider the location of in “spirit and truth” to be more important than location on the mount for prayer; but both would be nicer yet…
January 8, 2015 at 3:08 pm /
Unfortunately, the media and their representatives cannot discern spiritual things.They see see a person insisting on human rights and non-violence in a different light if that person has any Judeo-Christian values. The Paris massacre punctuates some points Yehuda made. There is no justification for any violence associated with freedom: freedom of speech, freedom to pray, freedom of association. Thank you, Yehuda. Shalom to all who look to the Almighty God for their inspiration.
January 8, 2015 at 2:52 pm /
That wasn’t an interview. It was a debate with a Palestinian apologist. I had a very difficult time watching it. I’m grateful that Rabbi Glick is much more level headed and courteous than I could be in the same situation. He is truly an amazing man. Continued prayers for Yehuda Glick, his health, and his cause.
January 8, 2015 at 2:49 pm /
what an appalling interviewer!
January 8, 2015 at 1:57 pm /
The problem with the Major Media Entities, is that they refuse to accept responsibility for the positions they represent, and use the excuse, “I am not saying that, I am just quoting what the authorities, or someone else said.” But that is the view they maintain, or the stance they take, throughout the interview.
January 8, 2015 at 1:54 pm /
I applaud Yehuda Glick for standing up to this bully. What a shame this interviewer already had his mind made up! He wasn’t looking for Yehuda’s point of view, he just wanted to verify his own accusations.
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