Susanna Reid weighs into row as BBC refuse to call Hamas terrorists

Dawn French’s ‘disappointing’ encounter with the Queen Mother

Susanna Reid has weighed into the row as BBC continue to refuse to call Hamas terrorists.

It comes after the Good Morning Britain star welcomed Rob Rinder onto the show to touch on the Hamas attacks on Israel and the increasing threat of antisemitism.

Rob said: “The essential thing is that Hamas does not speak on behalf of the Palestinian people.

“It’s painful, I suspect, for you sitting there looking into that autocue calling these people militants, knowing what’s going to ensue.

“Knowing where they’re planting their rockets and knowing the horror that’s going to be brought.”

READ MORE Kelvin Fletcher details advice he gave to Adam Thomas ahead of Strictly debut

Rob addressed Hamas being called militants and was referring to the BBC refusing to call them a terrorist organisation.

However, Susanna had clear thoughts on the situation as she appeared to take a thinly veiled dig at the broadcaster.

She hit back: “Well, we very clearly call them terrorists, it was an act of terror what happened. It was a barbaric atrocity.”

Recently, the BBC has spoken out about the language they tend to use when describing Hamas in their coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Don’t miss…
Coronation Street couple ‘torn apart’ after unexpected cheating twist[SPOILER]
This Morning fans fume Holly Willoughby’s tribute was ‘quicker’ than Schofield’s[REACTION]
Helen Skelton needed something ‘all-consuming’ with Strictly stint after split[STRICTLY]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

In a statement, they said: “Our coverage of the unprecedented assault on Israel by Hamas has made clear the nature of the atrocities committed and the impact this has had on civilians.

“Across our reporting, we have explained that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK.

“We have reflected the response from the international community to Hamas’ actions, and featured contributors who have described them as terrorists.”

The BBC stated that as they’re editorially independent, their role is to explain exactly what is happening in order for the public to make their own judgments.

They continued: “Our longstanding position, including during previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been that we do not use the term ‘terrorist’ without attribution, in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines.”

During Susanna’s interview with Rob, she went on to share that she didn’t know he’d lost two friends from the attack.

Rob was visibly emotional while speaking on the show as he told the presenters he, along with other friends he has in the Jewish community, want peace.

He said: “Every Jewish person that I know, that I tolerate in my friendship group and anyone that I’ve ever heard in my life, is praying for peace and for the safety of every single human life.

“Regardless of whether they’re Palestinian or Israeli, I remind us, nobody is dancing in the streets at the death of anybody.”

Good Morning Britain continues weekdays on ITV from 6am

Source: Read Full Article