More than 200 people have signed a letter to the BBC’s board calling for an urgent investigation into “systematic problems of antisemitism and bias” at the broadcaster.
The letter revealed that “208 BBC staff, contractors, suppliers and contributors from across the television and film industries, the majority of whom are Jewish” were in “anguish and disbelief” that complaints about coverage and social media posts during the Israel-Gaza war had not been dealt with.
Telegraph columnist Danny Cohen, formerly BBC One controller, and ex-ITV executive Claudi Rosencrantz were among the signatories.
The letter said: “We are members of the wider British Jewish community and can vouch with certainty that there is a loss of faith in the BBC within our community and a widespread opinion that, when it comes to racism and discrimination at the BBC, ‘Jews don’t count’.
“By contrast, we are certain that were similar incidents to occur at the expense of any other minority, the BBC would show zero tolerance.”
Signatories instead called for an urgent formal investigation by the board.
Posts from Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, an ex-Apprentice contestant and BBC Arabic staff were listed in the letter.
Lineker appeared to push the boundaries on the BBC’s social media guidelines by sharing a post calling for Israel to be banned from international sport.
He also compared the language used by the last Conservative Government in relation to its asylum policy to 1930s Germany.
BBC director general Tim Davie later conceded some tweets by BBC Arabic staff were “unacceptable”.
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Employees arrive at Broadcasting House, LondonPAThe BBC has come under fire since Hamas launched its atrocious attack against Israel on October 7 last year.
The broadcaster initially opted to call the proscribed terror group “militants”.
A recent story sparked outrage on both sides of the House of Commons after Ismail Haniyeh was killed during a visit to Iran.
Haniyeh, a top Hamas terrorist, was described as a “moderate” and “pragmatic”.
Former Panorama producer Neil Grant said: “When Jews tell you they feel antisemitism, don’t question it or define it for us.
“Simply, Jews don’t count inside the BBC. When we present compelling evidence of the BBC’s institutionalised antisemitism, signed by over 200 colleagues, we expect to be listened to and not gaslit especially by the BBC Board who won’t even formally discuss our concerns.”
Ismail Haniyeh, who escaped Gaza to hide out in Qatar, was travelling to attend the new Iranian President’s Masoud Pezeshkian inaugurationREUTERSResponding to the description, Labour MP Mike Tapp told The Sun: “Ismail Haniyeh was a dedicated antisemite and the leader of a proscribed, genocidal terrorist group which on 7 October perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
“To describe such an individual as ‘moderate and pragmatic’ is grotesque and an absolute disgrace.”
Tory Shadow Minister Greg Smith added: “It’s absolutely outrageous for the BBC to dare call a Hamas terror chief moderate.
“In what reality can the head of an organisation responsible for so much death, sexual violence and hate be called moderate?
However, the BBC’s chairman responded to the latest letter directly.
A spokeswoman said: “It is a great concern to us if anyone does not feel supported at work and we have well-established and robust processes in place to handle any concerns or complaints raised with us confidentially.
“We have highlighted these to the signatories of the letter. As an organisation, we stand united against any form of abuse, prejudice or intolerance.
“Editorially, we are committed to the highest standards of impartiality in our journalism and in a small number of cases where there have been mistakes we have acknowledged this.
“Where staff conduct has fallen below expectations, we have taken action.”