The conservative leader wrote to public broadcasters asking for an investigation into the commissioning of “Gaza: How to Survive the Warzone.”
The BBC must begin a full investigation of the documentary airing on Gaza, Kemi Badenok wondered whether it led to the cash given to Hamas.
The conservative leader has written to public broadcasters calling for an investigation into the commissioning of a program called “Gaza: How to Survive the Warzone.”
Media reports claim that Abdullah, the program’s child storyteller, is the son of Hamas’ Associate Agriculture Minister Ayman Aliazoli.
Badenok suggested that family links could lead to “possible payments to Hamas officials.”
The BBC is already facing a call to remove the program from iPlayer after the link to Abdullah’s family was revealed.
Writing to conservative leader BBC Director Tim Davy, the company’s executives initially said they were “defensive” in criticism of the documentary.
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She added: “The BBC also suggested that ‘regular compliance procedures’ are being followed. But don’t filming in Gaza require much more than normal checks?
“This is why I support the call for an independent investigation into documentary commissioning and production, which should be concluded and published in a timely manner.
“Such investigations must take into consideration allegations of possible conspiracy with Hamas and the likelihood of payment to Hamas officials.”
The investigation must go further, she adds, addressing “repeated and serious allegations of systemic and institutional bias against Israel in the BBC’s coverage of the war.”
The Tory leader also suggested that if the BBC fails to address the concerns she raised, it could withdraw the party’s support for future licensing fees.
Badenoch said:
“The BBC’s Middle East coverage is widely regarded as unreliable. The Conservatives support the government’s BBC, including the current charter that will end in 2027.
“How can my parties support the continuation of the current license fee-based system without serious action by BBC administrators to prove that the organization is committed to true equity? I don’t understand.”
The BBC was contacted for comment.
