BBC journalists supported anti-semitic posts with likes
BBC journalists have appeared to support anti-semitic conspiracy theories and statements that Israel is “pure evil”, despite the corporation promising to crack down on bias.
One reporter based in Egypt liked a tweet in December making unsubstantiated allegations that large numbers of Jews from around the world are buying land in northern Cyprus, with the aim being “to seize” the territory for Israel. The story, propagated in part by some Turkish newspapers, has prompted alarm on the island in recent months, despite officials disputing the numbers.
The same BBC Arabic journalist, Sally Nabil, liked a tweet endorsing the words of a released Israeli hostage who expressed her “deepest gratitude” to Hamas for her treatment.
Along with several colleagues, Ms Nabil was exposed by The Telegraph in October for liking a comment to a video showing trucks loaded with dead Israelis and kidnapped civilians on Oct 7. BBC bosses subsequently said they were “urgently investigating”, but they have not said what disciplinary action was taken. Corporation insiders said that despite frequent official reminders to maintain due impartiality on social media, in reality senior executives have taken no action when it comes to bias in the context of Israel.
“Senior executives know about these tweets and are simply letting them sit there,” one said.
It comes amid heightened scrutiny of the broadcaster since the October massacre, with the BBC refusing to refer to Hamas as terrorists. Last week, Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, said audiences believe the corporation is “not sufficiently” impartial.
The Telegraph can also reveal that a trainer at the BBC Academy is also facing allegations of bias. Martin Asser liked a tweet quoting a former Israeli soldier saying the Israel Defense Forces “should not exist”. He also liked a tweet suggesting that Israel had “trained” Western opinion to view them as “just a bunch of little angels”. The BBC said he was no longer working for the academy.