Last night King Charles condemned the ‘barbaric acts of terrorism’ inflicted on Israel.
The monarch was supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who said they were ‘deeply disturbed’ by the unfolding civilian carnage, adding: ‘The horrors inflicted on Israel by Hamas’ terror attack are appalling.’
William and Kate went even further, stressing the country’s ‘right to self-defence’. The royals’ deliberate use of the word ‘terrorism’ to describe the atrocities came in sharp contrast to the BBC, which refuses to call Hamas a ‘terrorist’ organisation.
It refers to Hamas as a ‘militant’ group and describes the massacre of civilians as a ‘militant’ attack.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis accused broadcasters of trying to ‘deliberately mislead’ by not using the word terrorist, saying: ‘The killing of babies where they sleep is not the act of a “freedom fighter”.’
Last night the King unequivocally condemned the ‘barbaric terrorist acts’ inflicted on Israel.
William and Kate were described as “deeply distressed” by the “devastating” events. The senior royals offered their thoughts and prayers to all those suffering, with the King doing so personally in a phone call to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday afternoon.
The royal intervention was the latest show of support for Israel from the UK and came as Hamas launched a new wave of rocket attacks, destroying a children’s hospital and a supermarket.
Gaza was to be plunged into darkness last night after its power plant ran out of fuel following Israel’s ‘siege’ and ongoing airstrikes in retaliation for Saturday’s attacks, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis in acts of unfathomable brutality.
A string of high-profile figures, including Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and Labor leader Keir Starmer, pressed the BBC yesterday over its approach to covering the killing of Israeli civilians. Mr Shapps told LBC it was ‘shameful’, adding: ‘It’s time to get the moral compass out of the BBC.’
BBC editorial guidelines say terrorism is an ’emotional subject with significant political overtones’ and ‘terrorists’ can be a ‘barrier rather than an aid to understanding’.
Yesterday, the king spoke with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and King Abdullah of Jordan, whose country shares a border with the West Bank and who has sought to promote dialogue in the region.
The monarch – who is acting on the advice of the government – is understood to have expressed his deep concern about the situation in the Middle East, as well as his thoughts and prayers for ‘all who are suffering’.
Charles worked throughout his life to encourage interfaith dialogue both nationally and on a global scale. A staff member said he would continue to ‘look for ways to do this in such deeply painful times’.
A spokesman for William and Kate said: ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales are deeply distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in recent days. The horrors inflicted on Israel by Hamas’ terrorist attack are appalling; they condemn them completely.
“As Israel exercises its right of self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be haunted by grief, fear and anger in the time to come.”
In 2018, William became the first royal to make an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in 70 years, meeting the presidents of both countries and telling them: ‘Never have hope and reconciliation been needed more.’ Despite a growing backlash, the BBC is understood to have no intention of revising or changing its guidelines on the use of the words ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’.
Veteran BBC foreign correspondent John Simpson defended the coverage, claiming ‘to call someone a terrorist means you’re taking sides’
Last night Mr Simpson took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to defend his employer’s decision
And last night it rejected criticism of its decision, despite Hamas being listed as a banned organisation, meaning the UK government considers it a terrorist group.
The BBC’s director of editorial policy, David Jordan, said the use of the word terrorist was a “very long-standing policy” that had “stood the test of time”. He added: ‘We’ve called them massacres, we’ve called (them) murders, we’ve called them out for what they are and that in no way devalues the horror of what’s going on.’
Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said on social media: ‘I completely understand why some want to use the word “terrorism”. However, it is the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV and Sky to report others using that language rather than using it themselves.’
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer raised the issue with BBC director-general Tim Davie, making clear her view that these were ‘terrorist acts carried out by a terrorist organisation’.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said that by calling Hamas ‘militants’ the BBC ‘not only lends legitimacy to their government but also denies the fact that they are committing atrocities’.
Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel said the corporation’s editorial guidelines were ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blasted the BBC for refusing to call the Hamas terrorists before attending the Finchley United Synagogue in central London on Monday for victims and hostages of Hamas attacks
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the broadcaster to ‘explain’ why it calls Hamas, which was classified as a terrorist group in the UK in 2021, a militant group