Former BBC journalist John Simpson has been blasted for defending the broadcaster’s failure to call Hamas a terrorist group.
Mr Simpson posted a lengthy message on X, formerly Twitter, explaining the BBC’s stance on Hamas before facing backlash.
Described as a ‘Palestine militant group’ by the BBC, Hamas launched thousands of rocket missiles into Israel on Saturday, October 7, with thousands killed in the days since.
Israel has responded with a number of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, sending the death toll skyrocketing.
Mr Simpson wrote: “British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word ‘terrorist’, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it.
“Calling someone a terrorist means you’re taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBC’s job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting.
“That’s why, in Britain and throughout the world, nearly half a billion people watch, listen to and read us. There’s always someone who would like us to rant. Sorry, it’s not what we do.”
While some agreed with the journalist’s points, the Chairwoman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee lashed out at his messages.
While some agreed with the journalist’s points, the Chairwoman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, lashed out at his messages.
She wrote: “With respect, you’re not taking sides when they’re legally proscribed as terrorists. By law, they are terrorists.”
Former British Army Colonel, Philip Ingram MBE, added that calling Hamas terrorists is just “stating a fact” after they were prescribed a terrorist organisation by the Government in 2021.
Meanwhile, Emily Hewerston asked “what’s the difference” as she posted a screenshot of a Panorama episode blurb describing ISIS as a “terror group” sided by a screenshot calling Hamas a “militant group”.
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