The BBC is facing mounting pressure to categorise Hamas as "terrorists" rather than using terms like "militants" or "fighters" in its coverage, as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's political dynamics spill over into the UK.
At a Jewish community vigil held opposite Downing Street, the UK's Immigration Minister, Robert Jenrick, strongly denounced Hamas, drawing loud cheers from the audience.
He emphasised that these individuals, whom some media outlets referred to as militants or fighters, were, in his view, unequivocally terrorists, murderers, and barbarians. Jenrick called on the BBC and other television networks to accurately describe them as such.
This development follows criticism from Jewish groups that have taken issue with the BBC's adherence to its editorial standards. The Board of Jewish Deputies has reached out to the Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, urging her to persuade the BBC to reconsider its guidelines.
However, the BBC is currently holding its ground. Its editorial guidelines, last revised in 2019, assert that words related to "terror" and "terrorism" carry strong emotional and political connotations. The guidelines stipulate that the term "terrorist" should not be used without attribution, as it may hinder rather than facilitate understanding. Instead, the BBC advises using alternative terms such as "bomber," "attacker," "gunman," "kidnapper," "insurgent," and "militant."
The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who has shown unwavering support for Israel, attended a vigil at the Finchley United Synagogue in London for the victims and hostages of Hamas attacks. He donned a kippah, a traditional Jewish head-covering, upon entering the synagogue. Sunak has ordered the Israeli flag to be displayed on government buildings, with its colors illuminating 10 Downing Street.
Addressing the congregation, Prime Minister Sunak declared, "As the Prime Minister of this country, I am unequivocal: the people who support Hamas are fully responsible for this appalling attack. They (Hamas) are not militants. They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists."
Rishi Sunak was warmly received by Britain's Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, who expressed deep gratitude for the Prime Minister's support of the Jewish community and the State of Israel.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman also weighed in on the matter, highlighting concerns about Islamist and racist groups exploiting Israeli defensive actions to incite hatred against British Jews. She affirmed her commitment to working with CST-UK (Community Security Trust) to ensure the protection of Jewish communities in the UK, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach toward anti-Semitism and the glorification of terrorism on British streets.
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