The letter to Tim Davey, the corporation's chief executive, warned: «The BBC's commitment to impartiality.» , not indifference. This distinction is now in danger of being blurred' Photo: Jacob King/PA
The BBC's refusal to brand Hamas as «terrorists» risks tarnishing its impartiality, seven former culture ministers told the corporation's chief executive.
In a letter to Tim Davey, seven organizations led by Sajid Javid called on The BBC will «urgently reconsider» its approach to describing Hamas as «militants» and «militants» rather than terrorists, following the group's attack on Israel.
Public figures including the chief rabbi have suggested that the BBC's decision could legitimize Saturday's Hamas attack, which killed at least 1,200 people.
The seven Conservative culture ministers point to the BBC's own guidelines, which say impartiality does not require «absolute neutrality» on every issue or «detachment from fundamental democratic principles».
They warned: » The BBC's commitment is impartiality, not indifference. That distinction may now be blurred.
“Alarmingly, the imprecise language of “militants” and “militants” also serves to conflate terrorists with the Palestinian people, who suffer the most from Hamas.
“We therefore join in the growing concerns. about the BBC's comments regarding the terrorist group. It is time to urgently reconsider its approach.»
It said the BBC's insistence on refusing to describe the perpetrators of the «barbaric terror» directed at Israeli citizens was not only «inaccurate» but also «understandably upsetting» » many Israelis, British Jews and the public.
They continued, “As our chief rabbi said, “This is not ‘resistance’ or ‘fighting.’” This is terrorism. To deliberately avoid this word is to deliberately mislead.”
Seven warned that the BBC's commitment to impartiality in these circumstances was counterproductive.
Six others former culture ministers — Karen Bradley, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Maria Miller, Baroness Morgan and Sir Jeremy Wright.
Lucy Fraser, the current culture secretary, also asked whether the broadcaster could reconsider its decision. editorial rules that prevent journalists from calling Hamas's actions «terrorism.»
On Thursday, Health Minister Steve Barclay said «everyone» should call Hamas terrorists.
In response to a question in an interview Times Radio about the scandal, Mr Barclay said: «The government is making it clear that Hamas is a terrorist organization and I think people need to make their thoughts clear.»
Asked if that included the BBC, he said: “I think that applies to everyone. Hamas is a terrorist organization. I don't think there's much doubt about that.»
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn was criticized after he again failed to condemn Hamas for atrocities but accused Israel of planning to «erase» Palestinian lives.
The former leader of the Labor Party, who is now an independent MP, called on politicians to defend international law “universally and equally”.
He tweeted:
We must condemn attacks on all civilian lives, no matter who does it.
Why can't our politicians uphold this basic moral principle and defend international law universally and equally?
How many innocent Palestinian lives must be destroyed in the name of self-defence?
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 12, 2023
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex condemned «all acts of terrorism» in a new statement following the attacks on Israel, but did not single out Hamas.
The couple's website, Archewell, published a post titled «With Heavy Hearts» that reads: “At the Archwell Foundation, together with Prince Harry and Meghan and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we stand against all acts of terrorism and cruelty.”
It goes on to say: «We stand with our partners and organizations on the front lines in Israel to provide the urgent assistance needed and help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering.»
Sources close to the Duke and Duchess insisted that their statement clearly condemns Hamas' attacks on Israel and expresses support for all the innocent lives affected by them.
Their statement came a day after the king condemned «barbaric acts of terrorism» — language echoed by the prince and the Princess of Wales, who said they were «deeply concerned» by the «horror caused by the Hamas terrorist attack.»
On Thursday, the king received the chief rabbi at a private meeting in Buckingham Palace expressed concern for the Jewish community after the attacks.
The king and the chief rabbi at Buckingham Palace on Thursday Photo: Yui Mok/AP
A royal source said the conversation with Sir Ephraim Mirvis, addressed «the horrors of recent events in Israel» and how to promote interfaith harmony in Britain at such troubled times.
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