The BBC will no longer refer to Hamas as “militants” by default after facing criticism for its coverage of the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict.
The public broadcaster has previously refused to refer to Hamas as terrorists, instead using the terms “bomber, attacker, gunman, kidnapper, insurgent, and militant” despite the group’s attacks on Israel.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said on Oct. 20 that the BBC had agreed to a policy change following a meeting between the board and BBC Director General Tim Davie, along with some members of his senior team.
“Instead, the BBC describes the group as a proscribed terrorist organization by the [United Kingdom] government and others, or simply as Hamas,” it added.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the BBC for comment.
“We also confirmed that for some days we had not been using ‘militant’ as a default description for Hamas, as we have been finding this a less accurate description for our audiences as the situation evolves,” the spokesperson added.
BBC Accused of ‘Taking Side’
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett strongly criticized the BBC during a live interview with the broadcaster, accusing the news outlet of “taking the side” of Hamas and “lacking moral clarity.”“From the very beginning of this interview, you are asking me about them. It seems that you care little about our side,” Mr. Bennett said in the interview. “You care only about one side, but that is the BBC way.”
Mr. Bennett also questioned the UK-based broadcaster’s use of the term “militants” when referring to Hamas in its coverage of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The fact that you call these Hamas barbarians ’militants’, and that you take their word and side shames you, BBC,” he added.
“British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word ‘terrorist’, and over the years, plenty of them have privately agreed with it,” he wrote on X.
“Calling someone a terrorist means 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,” he said.
More than 1,400 people were killed and 4,834 injured in Israel since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Hamas also took over 200 hostages, including U.S. citizens and other foreigners.
In retaliation, Israel has aimed its airstrikes at Hamas targets in Gaza and imposed a complete siege, cutting off the food, water, and fuel that it had voluntarily supplied into Gaza prior to the Oct. 7 attack, until Hamas frees all hostages.
