The BBC says it wants to be “impartial,” to which many, including the Archbishop of York, rebut,”This is not an appeal by Hamas asking for arms but by the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for relief.” But the unfortunate truth is, Western “aid” often, one way or another, makes it into the hands of Hamas terrorists. Here, for example, is a story from 2005 documenting how British relief aid to Palestinians went on to support Hamas” “terrorist apparatus,” as well as fund the families of Hamas suicide-bombers.
“Archbishop of Canterbury criticises BBC decision not to run Gaza aid appeal,” by Urmee Khan for the Telegraph, January 26 :
The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined widespread criticism over a BBC decision not to run a Gaza aid appeal after more than 50 MPs backed a move to increase pressure on the broadcaster.
The decision has also angered sections of the public: at least 11,000 people have complained to the Corporation over its refusal to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Gaza Crisis Appeal.
The DEC, which includes the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children and 10 other charities, plans to launch its appeal on Monday. All the main broadcasters including, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have agreed to air a two-minute appeal.
The BBC’s refusal to broadcast the appeal has been widely criticised across the spectrum from parliamentarians to religious groups and broadcasters.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: “My feeling is that the BBC should broadcast an appeal.”
However, the BBC continues to refuse to transmit the appeal because executives believe it might dent its reputation for impartiality. It also believes Gaza may not be stable enough to allow aid to be delivered.[…]
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: “This is not a row about impartiality but rather about humanity.
“This situation is akin to that of British military hospitals who treat prisoners of war as a result of their duty under the Geneva Convention. They do so because they identify need rather than cause. This is not an appeal by Hamas asking for arms but by the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for relief. By declining their request, the BBC has already taken sides and forsaken impartiality.’
Over 50 Members of Parliament are backing a parliamentary motion that states “this House is astonished by the refusal of the BBC and other broadcasters to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal; [and] notes the unconvincing and incoherent explanations given by BBC spokespeople for the decision”.
Mr Burden, a member of the International Development Committee, who tabled the motion, has also written to BBC Director General Mark Thompson to press for an explanation for the BBC’s decision.
“I am astonished by the refusal of the BBC to broadcast the DEC Gaza appeal. The explanations given for this so far have been both unconvincing and incoherent.
“This is not about taking sides in the conflict. It is about providing urgent help to people in desperate need. More than 400 children have died, thousands are homeless and nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza. The important thing is to get aid in to Gaza. This is recognised by almost everyone — including the Government. The BBC appears to be the only one who has a problem seeing this.”[…]
A spokesperson for the BBC said its position remains unchanged.