'This is terrorism, call it what it is!' Protestors outside BBC furious at refusal to call Hamas terrorists
BBC protest attendees speak with GB News
Protesters have gathered outside BBC Broadcasting House to make their voices heard on the news organisation’s refusal to refer to Palestinian group Hamas as terrorists.
Speaking with a GB News reporter, one protester said: “The BBC has got to call terror by its name. King Charles just made a statement calling Hamas terrorists. It's not hard. It's a very clear cut line. If you commit those kinds of atrocities, you're a terrorist organisation.”
“If the BBC is not prepared to do that, it sends a message to people around the world that Hamas and their actions are in some way more palatable than those of ‘terrorists’. It is a message that the BBC should be ashamed of sending. And it's a message that needs to change.”
Another protester said, “I think it's absolutely disgusting how the BBC haven't condemned the Hamas attacks as terrorist attacks. They've called them militants. I'm disgusted. I think everyone should be disgusted.
A protester outside BBC Broadcasting House speaks with GB News
GB News
“If every single other media outlet can refer to them as terrorists, why can't the BBC who are meant to be, I guess, representative of the British people? I think it's absolutely shambolic and a disgrace.”
The BBC claims the decision comes down to impartiality, though many have questioned if this is reflected in the way they have reported on similar events in the past.
One protester said, “They're clearly taking a side. They're saying, oh, we're being impartial. No, they're not. It's clearly taking a side, right?”
“We are scared. We are scared in the streets. It's emboldening these terrorists to call them militants. When the Manchester Arena bombing happened, did the BBC falter then? Did they? I don't think so.”
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BBC Broadcasting House, in central LondonPAAnother echoed these sentiments, saying: “It's about murder and evil. They're not militants. If that's a militant, I don't know what a terrorist is
Many of the protesters were Jewish themselves and made clear their concerns about the ramifications of the BBC’s decision.
“Already the anti-Semitism here is rising and it's so important. It's their responsibility to make sure that the news is reported fairly, so everyone in the country knows what we're dealing with, which we don't feel is happening at the moment and it's irresponsible and unfair.
Another said, “What I do feel is that we're living as Jews in an atmosphere of enduring hostility. And I think the reason that we're living in an atmosphere of enduring hostility is because there is a total lack of what I would call, in a very positive way, British values.
Israel-Hamas war leaves Middle East 'on verge of abyss' as 'fateful hour' in conflict loomsGETTY“It’s people living respectfully of other people, allowing people to have boundaries between each other.”
A final protester made his support for Israel clear, saying “I think the British public need to hear that Israel did have a land of Israel and that this modern state of Israel has a right to be.”
“I think political correctness needs to be put in the trash can when it comes to calling terrorists terrorists. It's not about taking sides. The factual reporting is they tied children's hands together and burned them alive.”
“This is terrorism. Call it what it is. Don't hide behind not upsetting somebody who doesn't like the truth.”
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