Former Attorney General Accuses BBC of Institutional Anti-Semitism
Sir Michael Ellis criticized the BBC for too easily accepting Hamas’s claims while approaching information from Israeli officials with skepticism. He mentioned that the BBC has been accused of being “institutionally anti-Semitic” due to perceived bias in its coverage of the Israel–Hamas war. During a Westminster Hall debate, Sir Michael Ellis stated that the BBC is effectively aiding Hamas’s disinformation campaign.
Since the outbreak of the war, foreign journalists have relied heavily on local freelancers and information provided by Israeli officials and Hamas due to restrictions on entering the Gaza Strip without military escort. The BBC has faced criticism for not directly labeling Hamas as a terrorist group and for including unsubstantiated allegations against Israel in its reports.
Sir Michael highlighted an incident involving the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing as a dangerous example of the BBC’s biased reporting. He criticized the broadcaster for accepting Hamas’s claims too readily while questioning information released by Israeli officials. He also mentioned the BBC’s lack of distinction between civilian and combatant casualties, adding disclaimers to Israeli information but not to Hamas’s.
Sir Michael pointed out that the BBC’s coverage has led to negative consequences, including cancellation of peace summits and a global spike in anti-Semitic incidents. He accused the BBC of fueling tensions and contributing to the rise in anti-Semitism. The claims of bias were also backed by other members of Parliament.
The BBC has faced criticism not only for its coverage of the Israel–Hamas conflict but also for its handling of complaints and editorial decisions. Some MPs argued against bowing to political influence in reporting on sensitive topics like terrorism.
The BBC’s response to accusations of anti-Semitism was to reject the opinion and emphasize that it does not agree with such claims. Journalists from various outlets have demanded independent access to Gaza after being barred by the IDF, with the Supreme Court upholding the restrictions.
