Breaking News: The BBC has apologised after chants calling for the destruction of the Israel Defence Forces were broadcast from the Glastonbury Festival.
The BBC has issued a formal apology after chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Death to the IDF” were aired during coverage of the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday evening. The chants were audible during a report on the festival’s atmosphere, prompting immediate criticism.
The report, according to The Sun, featured footage of crowds with Palestinian flags, with the chants clearly heard in the background. The BBC stated, via The Daily Mail, that the inclusion of the chants was “unacceptable” and “should not have been broadcast”. It acknowledged the deeply offensive nature of the slogans, particularly “Death to the IDF”. Fox News reports the BBC faced swift backlash online, with social media users highlighting the apparent endorsement of extremist views. The Jerusalem Post pointed to the prevalence of antisemitic interpretations of “From the river to the sea”.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the broadcast, stating – per The Daily Mail – that it demonstrated “appalling editorial judgement”. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the incident is under review to understand how such content made it to air. The corporation maintains it does not support the views expressed in the chants.
The incident raises further questions about the BBC’s impartiality and its coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also underscores growing concerns over public displays of antisemitism, particularly in the context of pro-Palestinian activism.
The BBC has pledged to strengthen its editorial guidelines to prevent similar occurrences. Further investigation into the broadcast and the decision-making process is expected.
Sources: The Sun, The Daily Mail, Fox News, The Jerusalem Post.
