Mick Hartley

I featured the blood libel MEMRI TV clip last week, with Egyptian family therapist Mona Sobhy trotting out the old blood-in-the-matzah tale. It was broadcast by the London-based Muslim Brotherhood channel Hiwar TV. Now, from the JC:

The lie that Jews use the blood of murdered children to make matzah has been aired by a UK-based channel already under fire for broadcasting pro-terror extremism.

Jewish leaders have now called for the authorities to act against London-based Al-Hiwar TV.

Ofcom claims it is unable to step in even though the channel holds a licence with it, and despite the Government insisting the media watchdog has “strong enforcement powers”.

The JC has previously reported how Al-Hiwar broadcast a programme in which a convicted terrorist said a suicide bombing which killed civilians was “God’s destiny”….

The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) urged the government to step in if necessary.

A JLC spokesperson told the JC: “It cannot be acceptable for an Ofcom-licensed broadcaster to be platforming guests sharing ancient blood libels that have been the cause of violence against Jewish communities for centuries.

“Ofcom must use the full extent of its enforcement powers.

“If they cannot act, the government must step in to ensure that antisemitic content cannot be distributed online with impunity.”…

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera), which campaigns for a fair representation of Israel in the media, condemned the airing of extremist views without challenge.

A spokesman said: “The hate speech standards applied by UK regulators, particularly Ofcom, must be no less rigorous than those enforced by digital platforms.

“While YouTube has already removed multiple Al Hiwar videos for glorifying the murder of civilians and describing Palestinian perpetrators as ‘martyrs’ – including two removals just weeks ago following inquiries by the JC – official UK oversight continues to lag behind.’

The spokesman added the authorities “must not continue to stall while this content directly threatens the safety of British Jewish communities”.

Unfortunately, for reasons to do with small print, section 37 subsection 14b paragraph 11 of the Online Safety Act, and indifference, Ofcom finds itself unable to act.