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Former BBC journalist John Simpson has been blasted for defending the broadcaster’s failure to call Hamas a terrorist group.<\/p>\n
He posted a lengthy message on X, formerly Twitter, explaining the BBC’s stance on Hamas before facing backlash.<\/p>\n
Described as a ‘Palestine militant group’ by the BBC, Hamas launched thousands of rocket missiles into Israel on Saturday, October 7, with thousands killed in the days since.<\/p>\n
Israel has responded with a number of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, sending the death toll skyrocketing.<\/p>\n
Mr Simpson wrote: “British politicians know perfectly well why the BBC avoids the word \u2018terrorist\u2019, and over the years plenty of them have privately agreed with it.<\/p>\n
“Calling someone a terrorist means you\u2019re taking sides and ceasing to treat the situation with due impartiality. The BBC\u2019s job is to place the facts before its audience and let them decide what they think, honestly and without ranting.<\/p>\n
“That\u2019s why, in Britain and throughout the world, nearly half a billion people watch, listen to and read us. There\u2019s always someone who would like us to rant. Sorry, it\u2019s not what we do.”<\/p>\n