The JC petition demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the BBC’s coverage of Jews and Israel has passed 10,000 signatures.
Pressure will now intensify on politicians to take action over a string controversial stories published by the corporation on both its UK news and Arabic language service.
The surge in support came after the JC revealed that songs aired on its Arabic language service glorified attacks on Jews and called on Palestinian militants and spill their blood.
A BBC presenter is seen in the studio nodding and filming the performance on his phone which went out on the BBC Xtra series to mark “Nakba Day” in May.
Before the programme aired the musician explained in an interview that the aim of the song was to invigorate “the resistance” movement and undermine those who “lean towards a blind peace” or “anyone who normalises [with Israel]."
Launched last month, the petition followed the BBC’s contested coverage – and ensuing qualified apology - of an antisemitic attack on a bus of Jewish children who were celebrating Chanukah in London’s Oxford Street last year.
This month media watchdog Ofcom flagged up “significant editorial failings” in the broadcaster’s reporting of the racist attack and said in a damning 43-document that the broadcaster had failed to follow its own editorial guidelines on due impartiality or accuracy rules.
Its investigation also uncovered how hard the BBC had worked to justify its initial version of events instead of acknowledging it was disputed.
The ruling shored up the view of senior parliamentarians and antisemitism activists that a full parliamentary inquiry was needed. Lord Roberts told the JC: “This welcome decision by Ofcom greatly enhances the calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into BBC bias regarding Israel.
Following the the JC’s reporting of Ofcom’s verdict, the BBC press office wrote a letter setting out its position. It said JC had “either apologised or disregarded” its apology for “failings” in January following a review from its own Executive Complaints Unit.
A partial apology was made, but Ofcom launched its own investigation, saying it “raises issues under due accuracy rules.”
