A survey conducted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism revealed that a significant majority of British Jews believe that the BBC’s coverage of the conflict in the Gaza Strip is biased against Israel and downplays the actions of Hamas. The poll showed that 86 percent of the participants either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” with being satisfied with the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas crisis.
According to The Times, the Campaign Against Antisemitism cited several incidents confirming British Jews’ widespread view that the BBC is a biased broadcaster that fails to maintain impartiality in reporting on the Jewish state. The research found that 71 percent of respondents strongly disagreed with being satisfied with the BBC’s coverage, while another 15 percent disagreed. The survey involved interviews with 3,744 people conducted between November 12 and 17.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for a “sustainable ceasefire,” stating that Israel has the right to defend itself but must do so in accordance with humanitarian law. Former defense secretary Ben Wallace warned that the Israel-Hamas war risks radicalizing a whole generation of young Muslims.
Earlier this year, the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer remarked that the BBC was occasionally biased but did not delve into details. Trust in the corporation among British Jews was already decreasing before the Hamas attacks. Ofcom had criticized the BBC’s coverage of an antisemitic attack in 2021, and another poll by the Jewish Chronicle found that 77 percent of Jewish people believed the BBC’s reporting was biased against Israel.
The leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, expressed hope that the BBC would “reflect on what has happened” after allegations of anti-Israel bias and bile. In response to these criticisms, a BBC spokesman stated that the organization holds itself to high standards of impartial reporting and rejects the suggestion that it is biased against Israel. The spokesman added that BBC News will continue to listen carefully to all audience feedback.