logo
Ignorance about Hamas shows BBC News boss must go

Ignorance about Hamas shows BBC News boss must go

Times17-07-2025
F or almost two years now I have been raising serious concerns about antisemitism and systemic anti-Israel bias by the BBC in its coverage of Israel's war against Hamas. This week the BBC was forced to admit a major breach of editorial standards following revelations that its film Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone was narrated by the 13-year-old son of a Hamas government official.
Some might hope that this failure would be a turning point for the BBC. Yet hours later Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, told journalists during an all-staff meeting that there is a 'difference' between the political and military wings of Hamas. 'I think it's an important point of detail that we need to continually remind people of,' she stressed.
Turness's guidance is simply not true. The UK government makes no such distinction. Under British law Hamas is 'proscribed in its entirety' as a terrorist organisation because any attempt to distinguish 'between the various parts of Hamas is artificial'.
As the leader of BBC News, on a £430,000 salary, Turness ought to know such basic points. Ironically, she is also the driving force behind the much-derided BBC Verify fact-checking service. Perhaps they could help her out here.
This leaked video is damning evidence of the failures of accuracy that are corroding the BBC's output when it comes to the Gaza war. Crucially, it also reveals that those who lead the BBC simply do not understand the genocidal terrorist ideals that infuse every element of Hamas. This has played a critical role in creating a public perception that Hamas is legitimate, a resistance movement rather than a terrorist army that seeks the death of all Jews.
The BBC's legitimisation of Hamas began as soon as they started murdering babies and raping women on October 7. The refusal to call Hamas terrorists has been followed as the war progressed by the corporation's daily willingness to report unverified figures and spurious claims from the 'Hamas-run health ministry'. Driven by a hunger to break news and get clicks on social media, the BBC's approach has been to report first and ask questions later.
It seems that only BBC executives cannot see what others so clearly can. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has spoken of 'catastrophic' failings at the BBC and its 'problems of leadership'. Ofcom's CEO, Dame Melanie Dawes, has raised concerns that the BBC's failings are eroding public trust. It's time to stop the rot. That begins with asking whether Turness is the right person to restore the reputation of BBC News. I believe it's time for a change.
Danny Cohen is a former director of BBC Television
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

221 MPs call for Britain to recognise Palestinian state amid starvation in Gaza
221 MPs call for Britain to recognise Palestinian state amid starvation in Gaza

The Independent

time21 minutes ago

  • The Independent

221 MPs call for Britain to recognise Palestinian state amid starvation in Gaza

Some 221 MPs from across different political parties have joined forces to call on the Government to recognise a Palestinian state. The MPs urge the Government to take the step ahead of a United Nations conference in New York next week. This follows France's announcement on Thursday evening it will formally recognise Palestine at a UN summit in September. The MPs' letter, co-ordinated by Sarah Champion – Labour chairwoman of the International Development Select Committee, said: 'We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality.' Parliamentarians from Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents are among those who signed the letter. Senior signatories include Labour select committee chairs Liam Byrne, Dame Emily Thornberry and Ruth Cadbury, the Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as Tory former minister Kit Malthouse, and Sir Edward Leigh, Parliament's longest-serving MP. The majority of those who have signed, 131, are Labour MPs. Rotherham MP Ms Champion acknowledged 'recognition alone will not end the suffering in Gaza or the rapid expansion of settlements and settler violence in the West Bank'. But she said it would be an important step on the path towards a two-state solution to end the war. The Labour MP added: 'Recognition would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people, that they are not alone and they need to maintain hope that there is a route that leads to lasting peace and security for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.' Ministers have faced growing calls to recognise a Palestinian state immediately amid mounting global anger over the starving population in Gaza. Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday evening that such a move needed to be part of the 'pathway' to peace in the Middle East, which he and allies are working towards. 'That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace,' the Prime Minister said. He added: 'Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. The PM also said: 'The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. 'The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible. In a statement released on Friday alongside the leaders of France and Germany, the Prime Minister urged 'all parties to bring an end to the conflict by reaching an immediate ceasefire'. Sir Keir, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza. Charities operating in Gaza have said Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation, warning that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians 'waste away'. Israel says it allows enough aid into the territory and faults delivery efforts by UN agencies, which say they are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of security. As he left for Scotland on Friday, US President Donald Trump suggested that Mr Macron's announcement that France would recognise Palestinian statehood was unimportant. 'What he says doesn't matter', Mr Trump told reporters at the White House. Sir Keir will meet the US president during his five-day private trip to Scotland, due to kick off on Friday. US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a 'lack of desire to reach a ceasefire'. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce. Hamas-led militants based in Gaza abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed about 1,200 people. Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive. Israel's war in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It does not distinguish between militants and civilians.

Rayner pushing Starmer to follow Macron and recognise Palestine
Rayner pushing Starmer to follow Macron and recognise Palestine

Telegraph

time22 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

Rayner pushing Starmer to follow Macron and recognise Palestine

Angela Rayner is pressing Sir Keir Starmer to follow Emmanuel Macron and formally recognise a Palestinian state. The Deputy Prime Minister is understood to be '100 per cent' behind other Cabinet ministers pressuring the Prime Minister over the decision. A third of Labour MPs signed a letter on Friday saying it was time for 'immediate recognition'. It comes after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, pledged to recognise Palestine as a state at the next UN General Assembly in September. The Labour Government backs Palestinian statehood but has argued for months that it should be formally recognised at the right moment to further peace in the region. However, there is growing pressure in the party for a change to be made sooner. An ally of Ms Rayner told The Telegraph: 'She absolutely thinks it has to happen, 100 per cent. She realises the massive electoral consequences of it. 'We are in a much, much worse place now. We would lose 20 seats over the issue at the moment, not five.' At the last general election, Labour shed votes on the left to several independent pro-Gaza candidates. It is also likely to face further pressure after Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana launched their new hard-Left party. In a statement issued after a phone call on Friday evening, Mr Macron, the French President, Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor and Sir Keir said the 'appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting' and appeared to criticise Israel over the 'starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people'. But Sir Keir has so far stopped short of saying when he will recognise a Palestinian state. Ms Rayner is one of several cabinet ministers understood to be increasingly pressing Sir Keir to take the move. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, also wants the Prime Minister to pivot to a policy of immediate recognition, according to the Guardian. His view is shared by Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary. Speaking on Thursday night, Ms Mahood said that while British recognition of Palestine would have 'multiple benefits' and send a 'strong message' to Israel, the immediate priority must be delivering aid to Gaza. Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, also wants to see Palestine recognised straight away, according to Bloomberg. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also repeated his calls on social media on Friday for a Palestinian state to be recognised by the UK. The Government's language towards the Israeli government has hardened considerably in recent weeks amid increasing humanitarian concern. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, told Sky News the situation was 'untenable', saying: 'Like any other person, I look at these images and I am deeply, deeply offended by them. 'The people of the region have been let down by successful generations of lots of world leaders but including particularly the leadership in the region itself, who have failed to deliver the kind of leadership that could have solved this problem.' Meanwhile, 221 MPs from across different political parties have urged the Government to recognise a Palestinian state ahead of a United Nations conference in New York next week. The MPs' letter, co-ordinated by Labour's Sarah Champion, chairwoman of the International Development Select Committee, said: 'We are expectant that the outcome of the conference will be the UK Government outlining when and how it will act on its long-standing commitment on a two-state solution; as well as how it will work with international partners to make this a reality.' Parliamentarians from Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents are amongst those who signed the letter. Some 135 Labour MPs – one in three – signed the letter, indicating the strength of feeling on the matter across the backbenches in Sir Keir's party. In a video posted on social media on Friday, Mr Sarwar said: 'I have long supported the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine and continue to do so. But whilst pressing for that, we must see the end of the war right now. 'What we're seeing on our screens and in our social media feeds is intolerable, unjustifiable and heartbreaking. The mass starvation of a population, the innocent killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of infrastructure. 'That's why we need an immediate ceasefire – we need the free flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, we need to see the end of illegal occupation and the pathway to a two-state solution.' He called for the release of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages who are still being held in captivity by Hamas.

Starmer rejects call to follow Macron in recognising Palestinian state
Starmer rejects call to follow Macron in recognising Palestinian state

Times

time22 minutes ago

  • Times

Starmer rejects call to follow Macron in recognising Palestinian state

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected a call by more than 130 Labour MPs to follow Emmanuel Macron and formally recognise a Palestinian state amid concerns that the issue would overshadow President Trump's visit to the UK. The French president announced on Thursday that he would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, increasing pressure on Starmer. Cabinet ministers have privately been urging the prime minister to do the same and on Friday more than a third of his backbenchers signed a letter calling on him to follow suit. The issue threatens to dominate Trump's four-day visit to the UK, which formally begins on Saturday. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said that Macron's decision was 'reckless' and 'only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace'. 'It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7,' he added. Speaking on Friday before flying to Scotland for a five-day visit, Trump said that Macron's announcement 'doesn't matter'. 'He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight,' he said, adding: 'Here's the good news: What he says doesn't matter. It's not going to change anything.' Starmer's reluctance is likely to deepen divisions within the cabinet, with one member of the government immediately branding the response 'deeply inadequate'. A senior government source said that there were concerns that recognising a Palestinian state while Trump was visiting could derail discussions over a US-UK trade deal. Starmer is meeting Trump at his Turnberry golf course on Monday. In a statement released after talks with Macron, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, and Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, Starmer made clear that he would not bring forward an announcement. Starmer said that while he was 'unequivocal' about recognising a Palestinian state, he would only do so at a time of 'maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering'. It means that the UK will not recognise a Palestinian state until there is a ceasefire with the return of the October 7 hostages, and humanitarian aid is restored to Gaza. Starmer said: 'Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war. 'That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire, so desperately needed, into a lasting peace. 'Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering — which, of course, will always be our ultimate goal.' He said that the scenes in Gaza were 'appalling' and 'unrelenting'. 'The continued captivity of hostages, the starvation and denial of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the increasing violence from extremist settler groups, and Israel's disproportionate military escalation in Gaza are all indefensible,' he said. A total of 136 Labour MPs — equivalent to a third of Starmer's parliamentary party — have signed a cross-party letter calling for Britain to stand up to its 'historic responsibility' and recognise a Palestinian state. The letter was signed by 221 MPs in total. It said: 'Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council, so we urge you to take this step. 'British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine. Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that mandate.' • Why Israel can't brush off France's recognition of a Palestine state The letter was organised by Sarah Champion, a Labour MP and chair of the international development select committee. It was signed by 19 select committee chairs in total including the Labour MPs Emily Thornberry, Tan Dhesi, Debbie Abrahams and Florence Eshalomi. Jess Morden, the chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, was also a signatory. Israel condemned Macron's decision. Binyamin Netanyahu said the announcement 'rewards terror' and warned that a Palestinian state would be a 'launch pad to annihilate Israel'. The Knesset, Israel's parliament, voted to annex the West Bank — a move which would make a Palestinian state impossible. Itamar Ben-Gvir, national security minister and the most outspoken far-right minister in Netanyahu's cabinet, said: 'Complete halt of 'humanitarian' aid. Total occupation of the Strip. Total destruction of Hamas. Encouragement of migration. Settlement. 'This is not the alternative path — this is the royal road to securing the release of the hostages and achieving victory in the war.' • Israel and US pull out of Gaza ceasefire talks with 'selfish' Hamas Sir Jeremy Greenstock, a former British ambassador to the UN, was one of 50 diplomats who signed a letter calling for Starmer to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. He said it would go beyond 'rhetoric' and encourage countries in the Middle East to follow suit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store