These BBC resignations must just be the beginning

The resignations of BBC Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness should be seen as an admission through gritted teeth that the much-vaunted impartiality of the BBC has been a sham.

The BBC’s growing bias has extended over many years across a wide array of issues, but for British Jews, the gravest betrayal is that on the watch of Mr Davie and Ms Turness, the BBC has often served as a mouthpiece for Hamas, feeding licence fee payers a diet of propaganda that has been a central feature of the drumbeat of incitement across the West.

Despite being caught out many times, the BBC has gaslit its audience by claiming to be a bastion of ethics and truthful journalism, even as our polling has shown that 92% of British Jews consider BBC coverage to be unfavourable on matters of Jewish interest. Now that the evidence is totally overwhelming and undeniable, Mr Davie and Ms Turness are finally resigning, but the fact that they managed to stay on for so long – even after it was revealed months ago that the BBC had sent money to a Hamas official’s family – is clear proof that there is a wider problem at the broadcaster which it cannot be trusted to fix alone.

The BBC cannot now replace its outgoing Director General and CEO of News with others sourced from the same BBC rotten executive class. There now needs to be an independent inquiry into BBC bias, with its results published for all to see, resulting in a rooting out of those who have hijacked the BBC into a vehicle that serves an increasingly warped agenda. Until that independent inquiry comes, it is unconscionable to force taxpayers to pay for the biased, sanctimonious and unaccountable BBC.

BBC Arabic leaks confirm the worst

According to a leaked internal report by a whistleblower, details of which were published by The Telegraph:

• BBC Arabic opted to “minimise Israeli suffering” throughout its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war in order to “paint Israel as the aggressor”
• “Unjustifiable weight” was given by the BBC to death toll claims by Hamas
• Allegations against the Jewish state were “raced to air” on BBC Arabic, potentially indicating “a desire always to believe the worst about Israel”

In March, Tim Davie, the BBC’s then Director-General, claimed: “We’re the most trusted brand in the world.” The BBC is burying its head in the sand and its executives are clearly out of their depth and in denial. When will the BBC show some accountability?

Having proven to be utterly untrustworthy, external scrutiny of the BBC is sorely needed.

The House of Commons Culture Select Committee has summoned the BBC Arabic whistleblower to give evidence. Lord Grade, the chair of the media regulator, Ofcom, has written to the BBC chair demanding answers. The BBC’s problems are no longer internal – they are a matter of national concern.

At Campaign Against Antisemitism, we believe that accountability will come only with an independent investigation into its bias, including on matters of Jewish concern, and that the licence fee should be suspended until that investigation has concluded and been published.

Almost 30,000 people have added their names to our petition to suspend the licnce fee. If you agree, please add your name now and share the petition website: suspendthelicencefee.com. You can also read our free guide to legally cancelling your licence fee.

Respect international law, rescind recognition now

It has taken nearly two months, but Parliament has now published our petition calling on the UK to rescind its recognition of a ‘Palestinian state’.

Recognition rewards terrorism, undermines peace, and defies the Montevideo Convention, which sets clear criteria for statehood, none of which are met. If it receives enough signatures, our parliamentary petition will force the Government to respond and even trigger a debate in the House of Commons.

The Government must reverse this dangerous and premature decision.

Tensions erupt in Birmingham

Ahead of Aston Villa’s match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Elie visited Villa Park to observe protesters and hear what match-going fans had to say about the ban on away supporters.

He found Villa supporters angry at the presence of ‘free Palestine’ protesters and disappointed that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans had been forced to stay away.

British man faces extradition to Germany

A British man is facing extradition to Germany for allegedly transporting weapons and meeting with a Hamas-linked terror cell.

The 39-year-old, suspected to be the son of a senior Hamas member, was caught during a wider counter-terrorism investigation. Three others were previously arrested for planning violence against Jews in Germany.

The arrest forms part of a wider counter-terrorism investigation in Germany. Three other men were arrested last month on suspicion of preparing acts of violence against Jews in Germany on behalf of the antisemitic terror group.

According to reports, the British man came to the attention of German authorities in June during an investigation into a suspected terror plot.He remains in custody and is due to appear in court next week.

Self-described “Anglo Jihadi” guilty of terror plots

Jordan Richardson, 21, of East Yorkshire, has been convicted of terror offences after plotting attacks with chemical weapons, grenades, knives, and a crossbow.

He glorified terrorism, targeted Jews, and sought to radicalise children. Multiple counts include preparing acts of terrorism, encouraging terrorism, and possessing bomb-making instructions.

During proceedings, the court heard that police discovered a combat knife and crossbow at Mr Richardson’s residence.

It was revealed that he frequently expressed the desire to kill Jews and referred to them as “the money”, “the pillagers” and “the big noses”.

He had also researched how to volunteer for Hamas and said he wanted to “fight Jews”, even joking about entering a synagogue wearing a suicide vest.

Sentencing is expected next month.

UNRWA’s terror links exposed

An investigation by UN Watch found 490 UNRWA staff with ties to Hamas and PFLP, including co-founders of terror organisations responsible for the 7th October massacre.

Terror-affiliated employees held key positions, influencing UNRWA policy. Former hostage Emily Damari testified that she was held in a UNRWA facility during captivity.

We call on the FCDO to publish legal advice obtained before resuming funding to UNRWA to reassure British Jews and the public.

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