'Shocking attack on Jews!' BBC sparks outrage after staff urged to wear Palestinian colours and keffiyeh in 'workplace day of action'
'The BBC is run by people who don't know what they're doing'
GB NEWS
The BBC has sparked outrage after its staff were urged to wear Palestinian colours and a keffiyeh for a “workplace day of action” for Palestine.
The action day - which is set for tomorrow - has been organised by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to demand a ceasefire, the release of hostages, as well as the overall end of violence in Gaza.
The TUC has urged individuals to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity”.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) echoed the TUC’s call to action, condemning Israel’s attacks which are reported to have killed 135 Palestinian journalists since the October 7 attacks.
The TUC has urged individuals to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity” (Stock image)
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In a statement, it said: “The NUJ is urging branches and chapels to show support on the day and amplify the union’s calls.”
However, these calls have caused concern amongst Jewish BBC colleagues, who claimed that the action would infringe the corporation’s impartiality guidelines, as well as offending other staff members.
One journalist said that they had rethought their union membership after the “hypocritical and antisemitic” move.
“BBC journalists, who pride themselves on impartiality and who fought to keep their NUJ free of politics, are being encouraged to break the BBC’s editorial guidelines by supporting a political cause,” they told The Times.
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They added: “It is also a shocking attack on Jews. Where is the day of action to support the journalists being killed by their own governments across the Middle East, including by Hamas?
"Where is the NUJ support for Russian journalists that are being held behind bars on trumped up charges by Putin’s regime, those dying or working in perilous conditions in Ukraine?”
Another staff member said that they were “dreading the thought of walking past anyone protesting at work”.
Meanwhile, journalist Charlotte Henry has revoked her membership after it imposed the workplace day of action, saying that it “has become a hostile environment for Jews, and I can no longer be a part of that.”
Another staff member said that they were “dreading the thought of walking past anyone protesting at work”
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Those who work at the BBC are expected to abide by strict impartiality rules in all areas of their work.
However, the BBC was also criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews for its lack of support for Jewish colleagues.
Responding to their failure, the board said: “It is time for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant.
“Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing.”
Additionally, the board expressed concern about unions which serve an educational purpose - such as journalism - as they are legally obliged to present a balanced array of opinions to their viewers.
In response to the controversy, a TUC spokesman said: “The day of action is focused on the TUC’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.
"We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.”
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