What’s happening

Lord Mann, the UK’s independent advisor on antisemitism, has revealed that the BBC’s top leadership, including Director-General Tim Davie, has consistently refused offers for antisemitism training. He addressed these concerns on his visits to the BBC starting in 2019, urging them to tackle growing concerns of Jew-hatred within the organization.

Why it matters

The refusal by leadership at the BBC to accept antisemitism training reflects a broader issue of alleged antisemitic and anti-Israel bias within one of the world’s most influential media organizations. The decision puzzles observers especially when rising Jew-hatred remains a pressing concern, not only for the Jewish community in the UK but also for balance and fairness in media reporting.

The Controversy

Lord Mann pointed to the contentious BBC documentary “Gaza: How to Surivive a War Zone,” narrated by Abdullah Al-Yazouri, son of a senior Hamas official, as a significant oversight. Mann suggested accountability at the highest levels of the BBC for allowing such productions and advocated for dismissals among top executives involved in the debacle.

In their own words

“Arrogance at the top of the BBC means it failed to take allegations of antisemitism seriously,” Mann critiqued. He urged for re-evaluation of leadership choices, emphasising his readiness to push the British government for a public inquiry should the BBC evade responsibility.

The bottom line

The BBC, criticized for deflecting responsibility to production company Hoyo Films, claims the connection between the child narrator and Hamas was undisclosed. The unfolding situation places greater scrutiny on how impactful organizations like the BBC handle narratives around antisemitism and Israel.

This story was first published on jpost.com.