ITV GMB in Ofcom storm as hundreds of complaints pour in over 'disgusting' Israel error amid presenter's apology

ITV GMB: Hundreds of Ofcom complaints have been lodged against the show

ITV
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 26/06/2025

- 15:15

The breakfast show angered viewers earlier this month with the mistake

Good Morning Britain has been hit with 318 complaints to broadcasting regulator Ofcom following an error in its coverage of the Israel conflict on June 19.

The ITV breakfast programme displayed a map that incorrectly showed the Golan Heights as part of Israel, when the territory is actually located in southwest Syria.


The basaltic plateau sits along the borders of Israel, Jordan and Lebanon, and is recognised by the UK government as occupied territory.

The broadcasting watchdog confirmed it had received the complaints about the geographical error, which occurred during the morning news programme's reporting on the ongoing conflict.

ITV GMB: Sean Fletcher

ITV GMB: Sean Fletcher apologised for the error on June 20

ITV

The map appeared on screen whilst presenter Ranvir Singh was introducing correspondent Richard Gaisford, who was reporting live from Tel Aviv.

According to the Mirror, the error was broadcast during the programme's coverage of the conflict, prompting immediate reactions from viewers who spotted the mistake.

The UK Foreign Office had included the Golan Heights in a no-fly area notice issued on June 13, warning against "all but essential travel" to most of Israel.

The Foreign Office classified areas around Gaza, the West Bank and the Golan Heights as red zones in their travel advisory.

Viewers quickly noticed the geographical error and expressed their frustration on social media platform X.

One viewer wrote: "The Golan Heights is part of Syria, but #GMB continues to show it as part of Israel."

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Another added: "Disgusting 'reporting' from @GMB and total misinterpretation of Golan Heights."

A third viewer referenced international law, stating: "UN resolution 497 states Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights is 'null & void & without intl legal effect' & the land is Syrian territory. Only 2 countries recognise Israels annexation - the US & Israel So why does #GMB repeatedly show the Golan Heights as part of Israel?" (sic)

ITV GMB: The map

ITV GMB: The map of Israel was incorrected

ITV

The following day, Good Morning Britain issued a clarification during a news bulletin at 6:17am.

Reporter Sean Fletcher apologised for the error, saying: "Yesterday we showed a graphic map which included the Golan Heights as part of Israel."

He continued: "The UK government views the Golan Heights as occupied territory and does not recognise Israel's annexation of the land, and we are happy to clarify that."

The apology came after the programme faced criticism for the geographical mistake, which occurred during their coverage of the Israel conflict.

ITV GMB: Ranvir Singh

ITV GMB: Ranvir Singh reported on the conflict on June 19

ITV

The clarification addressed viewers' concerns about the misrepresentation of the disputed territory's status.