Jewish BBC sports reporter vows to no longer work for the broadcaster because of its refusal to call Hamas ‘terrorists’, as he slams ‘unjustified’ decision and says words have the power ‘to fuel hate and put fuel on the fire’

A Jewish BBC sports reporter today vowed to no longer work for the broadcaster because of his bosses’ refusal to describe Hamas as terrorists. 

Noah Abrahams, who is 22 and worked as a freelance commentator on BBC Radio Derby, said the decision to not describe Hamas’s actions as terrorism was ‘unjustified’, adding that words have the power ‘to fuel hate and put fuel on the fire’. 

In the name of impartiality, the BBC refers to Hamas as a ‘militant’ group and described the slaughter of civilians as a ‘militant’ attack.

Explaining his decision to quit, Mr Abrahams told TalkTV: ‘I have morals and I stick by them. I think the BBC’s refusal to use the correct terminology is unjustified. 

‘Words impact how we think, how we react, how we act. They have influence. [Hamas] aren’t freedom fighters or, as John Simpson refers to them, gunmen. They’re terrorists. 

‘There are probably people watching who think I’ve thrown it all away for some words, but words – when neglected – have the power to fuel hate and put fuel on the fire.’ 

Noah Abrahams, who is 22 and worked on BBC Radio Derby, said: ‘I have morals and I stick by them’

Mr Abrahams first announced his decision with a post on Twitter 

Explaining his decision to quit, Mr Abrahams told TalkTV’s Peter Cardwell: ‘I have morals and I stick by them. I think the BBC’s refusal to use the correct terminology is unjustified’

Mr Abrahams said he realised he had made a ‘monumental career life decision’ but felt he needed to make a stand because of the threats currently facing British Jews. 

‘Jewish schoolchildren can’t go to school feeling safe and synagogues have security so heightened that it strikes fear to you,’ he said. 

‘We’re taking off our jewellery and necklaces. People will avoid London tomorrow because of the threat. 

‘That is fear. And anything that happens in Israel – like it or not – has a direct affect on the British community. 

‘British Jews are terrified, and so am I, and I don’t feel like I can stand by the BBC any longer with their stance on terminology.’  

He added: ‘Jews are terrified, as am I. And I’ve just made a really monumental career and life decision. So as with everyone I’m going through a hard time at the moment.’

A BBC spokesperson said: ‘We always take our use of language very seriously. 

‘Anyone watching or listening to our coverage will hear the word ”terrorist” used many times – we attribute it to those who are using it, for example, the UK Government. 

‘This is an approach that has been used for decades, and is in line with that of other broadcasters. 

‘The BBC is an editorially independent broadcaster whose job is to explain precisely what is happening ”on the ground” so our audiences can make their own judgement.’

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid touched on the issue of what to call Hamas on today’s show and made a thinly-veiled swipe at the BBC, saying: ‘We very clearly call them ”terrorists”. I mean, it was an act of terror what happened – it was a barbaric atrocity.’

It followed a statement from Buckingham Palace last night which said King Charles ‘condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism against Israel’, while a spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Wales referred to the country’s ‘right of self defence’ after ‘Hamas’s terrorist attack’. 

Later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also released a statement through their Archewell Foundation which said the couple ‘stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality’. 

Many of the world’s leading media organisations have called Hamas terrorists in their reporting, including famously Left-wing outlets such as the New York Times and The Guardian. ITV does not have a fixed policy on the issue but has also described them as terrorists. 

The BBC refers to Hamas as a ‘militant’ group and described the slaughter of civilians as a ‘militant’ attack. 

Harry and Meghan released a statement on the Israel-Hamas conflict last night

The statement issued by the Prince and Princess of Wales 

Susanna Reid described Hamas as ‘terrorists’ on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today

On GMB today, Ms Reid was discussing the impact of conflict in the Middle East with Rob Rinder, 45, who is Jewish. 

The number of people killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israel has risen above 1,200. That includes 260 revellers gunned down at a music festival, and whole families – including children’s and babies – who were massacred in a kibbutz. 

Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed over 1,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s health ministry.

Rinder spoke emotively about how two of his friends had died, saying: ‘It’s painful I suspect for you sitting there looking into that autocue calling these people ”militants”, knowing what’s going to ensue, knowing where they’re planting their rockets and knowing the horror that’s going to be brought to innocent civilians.’

But Ms Reid responded firmly, saying: ‘We very clearly call them terrorists. I mean, it was an act of terror what happened, and it was a barbaric atrocity.

‘And you and I have been in contact since what happened. I didn’t know that you had lost two friends in that attack. On every level, this is painful for you.’

As the BBC continued to avoid using the word ‘terrorist’, King Charles released a statement last night which read: ‘His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.’

He was backed by Prince William and the Princess of Wales, who said they were ‘profoundly distressed’ at the unfolding civilian slaughter, adding: ‘The horrors inflicted by Hamas’s terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling.’

William and Kate went even further that the monarch, specifically highlighting Israel’s ‘right of self-defence’.

Meanwhile, the Sussexes said: ‘At The Archewell Foundation, with Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we stand against all acts of terrorism and brutality.’

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has accused broadcasters of trying to ‘wilfully mislead’ by not using the word ‘terrorist’, saying: ”The murder of babies where they sleep is not the act of a ‘freedom fighter”.’ 

Four of Britain’s top lawyers have now complained to Ofcom about the issue. 

Lord Wolfson KC, Lord Pannick KC, Lord Grabiner KC and Jeremy Brier KC accused the BBC of failing to show impartiality ‘beyond doubt’ by describing Hamas in ‘more sympathetic terms’ as ‘militants’.

Ms Reid and Ben Shephard (left) were discussing the attacks with Rob Rinder (right)

King Charles released a statement last night which read: ‘His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel’ 

The Prince of Wales at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem in 2018

The senior lawyers signed a letter calling on Ofcom to investigate. In a letter shared on X, they said: ‘On 7th October 2023, Hamas launched a large invasion of the State of Israel which resulted variously in the slaughter, rape and abduction of over a thousand Israeli citizens. There is nothing controversial about that. It is a fact.

‘The BBC has fallen well below the standards expressed in its Editorial Values in reporting of that invasion and the consequences therefrom.’

They added that Hamas being a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK ‘is not a matter of debate or discussion. It is a matter of legal fact’.

The lawyers accused the BBC of ‘watering down’ the way Hamas is described. They signed the letter alongside Lord Polak, honorary president of the Conservative Friends of Israel.    

BBC editorial guidelines say terrorism is an ’emotive subject with significant political overtones’ and ‘terrorist’ can be a ‘barrier rather than an aid to understanding’.

Despite a growing backlash, it is understood the BBC is not planning to review or change its guidelines over the use of the words ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’.

And last night it rejected criticism over its decision, despite Hamas being listed as a proscribed organisation, which means the UK Government sees it as a terrorist group.

BBC director of editorial policy David Jordan said not using the word terrorist was a ‘very long-standing policy’ which 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 things are and that doesn’t in any way devalue the awfulness of what is going on.’

Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said on social media: ‘I understand entirely why some want the word ‘terrorism’ used. It is, though, the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV and Sky to report others using that language rather than using it ourselves.’

A man shouts outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City

An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the Gaza border in southern Israel

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has raised the issue with BBC director-general Tim Davie and made clear her view that these were ‘acts of terror carried out by a terrorist organisation’.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said that by calling Hamas ‘militants’, the BBC ‘not only offers legitimacy to their government, but also denies the fact that they commit atrocities’.

Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel said the corporation’s editorial guidelines were ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival.

The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory.