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Susanna Reid has appeared to take aim at the BBC for the broadcaster’s refusal to call Hamas terrorists.
On Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, Rob Rinder was welcomed into the ITV studio to speak on the programme about the increasing threat of antisemitism being faced by Jewish people in the UK following the Hamas attacks on Israel.
Hamas, a terrorist organisation, launched a surprise attack on Israeli civilians on Saturday October 7, with Israel’s death toll now surpassing 1,200.
Follow our live blog for latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war.
Hundreds of Palestinians have died after Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, while tributes have been coming in after the confirmed deaths of individuals who were at the festival in southern Israel targeted by Hamas at the weekend.
While speaking about the conflict on GMB, Rob looked visibly emotional as he revealed that he knew people who were killed after attending the festival.
He then said: ‘The essential thing is that Hamas does not speak on behalf of the Palestinian people, and 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.’
Susanna stressed that GMB calls Hamas terrorists (Picture: ITV)
Susanna responded by clarifying that they have referred to Hamas as terrorists on GMB, unlike the widely-criticised stance that the BBC has taken on the attacks.
‘We very clearly call them terrorists,’ she said, in what could have been a reference to the BBC. ‘It was an act of terror, what happened. And it was a barbaric atrocity.’
Susanna went on to say that she had no idea that Rob personally knew people who had been killed in the attack.
‘So obviously on every level this is painful for you, I know that,’ she added.
The BBC recently responded after complaints that it was not referring to Hamas as a terrorist organisation, despite the group having been described as such by the Prime Minister and the Royal Family.
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation in countries including the UK, the US, Australia and Japan.
King Charles released a statement condemning the ‘barbaric acts of terrorism’ committed by Hamas (Picture: Yoan Valat/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The BBC said in response to the criticism: ‘Across our reporting we have explained that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK.
‘We have reflected the response from the international community to Hamas’ actions, and featured contributors who have described them as terrorists.’
It continued: ‘We have given careful consideration to all aspects of our reporting of the Israel-Gaza conflict, both in terms of Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s response – this includes the language that we use.
‘The BBC is editorially independent; our role is to explain precisely what is happening so that the public can make their own judgements. Our longstanding position, including during previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been that we do not use the term “terrorist” without attribution, in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines.’
The BBC has been criticised for its stance (Picture: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has spanned decades, with Israel having been in control of the movements of goods into the Gaza Strip through a blockade since 2007, which is also enforced by Egypt.
Israel withdrew its occupation from the Gaza Strip in 2005, after gaining control of the territory in 1967. Hamas became the sole governing power in 2007.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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Susanna stressed that GMB calls Hamas terrorists.