The Board of Deputies has met with the leadership at the BBC to discuss concerns relating to the coverage and culture of the broadcaster.
BoD President Phil Rosenberg expressed Jewish community’s anxieties to BBC Director General Tim Davie, Rosenberg about institutional antisemitism and institutional-bias against Israel.
Rosenberg addressed the BBC’s refusal to describe Hamas as a ‘terrorist’ organisation, the description of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a ‘moderate’, presenter Gary Lineker’s social media output and problems within BBC Arabic.
The Board’s delegation included Vice President Andrew Gilbert and Chief Executive Michael Wegier.
Five steps were proposed for improvement including quarterly meetings to ensure progress on issues, faster action for community concerns, an immediate instruction to news teams to ensure Hezbollah and Hamas are described as a ‘terrorist organisation’ and the same description its leaders.
Introductions were sought to BBC decision-makers responsible for content, HR, diversity, the BBC’s new Jewish network and ways to celebrate Jewish staff and contractors within the organisation.
Davie confirmed the BBC would respond to the Board’s proposals in due course.
Rosenberg noted: “We were absolutely clear to the BBC leadership about the unacceptable state of affairs, both in terms of content and coverage. We found the BBC team to be open and engaged and welcomed their commitment to consider our proposals. We will judge the Corporation by its actions.”
Rosenberg also visited 10 Downing Street where he discussed community concerns on a number of fronts.
The Board issued a joint statement with the JLC, stating: “We learned that our government will not be pursuing the UK’s original objection to the ICC’s jurisdiction over the current Israel-Gaza conflict. This regretful and regressive step not only appears to be a reversal of long-term UK foreign policy, but also puts us at odds with international allies such as the US and Germany, who have challenged the court’s treatment of Israel.
“This decision comes at a time where many in the Jewish community are still assessing how this government will in practice stand by its words, delivered when in opposition, to support Israel’s right to self-defence. It comes a week after the return of UK funding to UNRWA, despite significant outstanding concerns. It also comes amidst increased reports that the government will soon be making an announcement regarding the sale of arms to Israel, a country which only 300 days ago suffered the worst attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust.
“We are concerned that the cumulative effect of these announcements, in quick succession, signal a significant shift in policy, away from Israel being a key UK ally. This would not only be a strategic error but a moral one. The government should urgently reconsider any such approach.”
Following this engagement, the Government has delayed its announcement on the sale of arms to Israel.
Rosenberg said: “While some challenges remain on the horizon, there was good progress on a number of fronts”.