Security watchdog accuses Channel 4 News of downplaying Jew hate

THE COMMUNITY Security Trust (CST) has accused Channel 4 News of minimising concerns about antisemitism in a report on pro-Palestine protests in schools.

In a package that was broadcast last Friday, journalist Fatima Manji reported that pupils in England were complaining they had been punished for showing support for Palestine. Several schoolchildren were interviewed, all alleging that a culture of silencing exists in schools around proPalestine campaigning.

In the report, Ms Manji cited CST saying, “Jewish schoolchildren are being intimidated by anti-Israel protests” and that “such cases rise when the conflict in Palestine and Israel is escalating”. However, CST said it was never approached by Channel 4 News for a comment.

In the segment, immediately after discussing CST concerns about antisemitism, Ms Manji followed up with the statement, “none of the children in this film are accused of antisemitism”.

The report did not feature commentary from any Jewish voices.

A spokesperson for CST told the JC: “The Channel 4 News feature about antiIsrael protests in schools cited CST in a way that gave the misleading impression that we had provided a comment for use in the broadcast.

“This was not the case and consequently they misrepresented CST’s view and minimised the problem of antisemitism in schools. We have contacted the head of Channel 4 News to make a formal complaint.”

Throughout May this year Jewish university students, school pupils, teachers and parents reported to CST incidents of antisemitism linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

A spokesperson for C4 News said: “Channel 4 News contacted the CST to provide some broader context on this matter and following that conversation, as well as examining the most recent reports on the CST website, we fairly summarised this in the report.”