On May 13, 2024, during Israel's Memorial Day ceremonies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other cabinet ministers faced public heckling. As Netanyahu concluded his speech in Jerusalem, commemorating fallen soldiers and civilian victims, he was called 'garbage' by an attendee who accused him of killing his children. Additionally, in Ashdod, a woman accused Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, of being a criminal at a military ceremony.
The incidents occurred amidst a complex backdrop of ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with shifting public opinions in Israel and numerous protests in response to current government actions and policies concerning hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
In parallel, debates concerning media representation of Hamas stirred in the UK. BBC presenter Nick Robinson was criticized for not explicitly labeling Hamas as terrorists during a broadcast discussion, despite Hamas being officially recognized as a terrorist organization by the UK and the EU. The BBC has maintained its editorial stance of not using the term "terrorist" unless quoting others, citing a policy of neutrality and impartial reporting.