The BBC has apologised after publishing a video that claimed observant Jews spit on Christians in a "holiday ritual" in Israel.
On October 5, 2023, BBC Arabic published an article entitled "Sukkot: Spitting and Assault on Christians and Harassment of Muslims on the Jewish Holiday".
In the article, a caption claimed that observant Jews celebrate Sukkot in Israel by spitting on Christians and harassing Muslims.
After the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) complained, it was changed to "Some observant Jews consider spitting on Christians a holiday ritual."
The BBC has apologised over its coverage of the holiday
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In the footage, ultra-Orthodox Jews could be seen spitting on the ground alongside a procession of foreign Christian worshippers carrying a cross alongside the path, retracing the steps along the route they believe Jesus took before his crucifixion.
The scene was originally captured by a reporter at Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, who witnessed the progression within the Old City.
While there have been arrests related to spitting on churches, with the suspects mainly from strict Charedi sects, it is not an accepted part of mainstream Jewish celebrations in Israel.
A spokesman from the BBC said: "We apologise for the errors and thank you for your patience in waiting for this reply/confirmation of corrections that were made in October 2023."
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Ultra-Orthodox Jews recite the Priestly Blessings at the Western Wall
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It comes after a number BBC Arabic’s contributors have posted anti-Jewish sentiments and expressed their apparent support for Hamas, both before and after the October 7 attacks.
The BBC director-general Tim Davie and head of the BBC World Service Jonathan Munro defended the service at the Culture Media and Sport select committee in December.
Davie said: "In my career this has been the toughest to negotiate as a conflict. We have thousands of strong voices on either side."
However, the broadcaster's chairman Dr Samir Shah said he would appoint an independent figure to investigate BBC Arabic, telling Times Radio in May: "I think this whole business of how we’ve covered Israel-Gaza is a proper thing to examine thoroughly, which is why we’re going to identify.
"We’re going to get hold of an independent figure to look at our coverage."
BBC bosses Tim Davie and Samir ShahParliament TVA BBC spokesman added: “The BBC takes all complaints seriously and we have a robust process in place.
"We are committed to investigating complaints and responding to complainants swiftly. We apologise for the delay in these particular cases.
"When mistakes are made, we acknowledge them and make the appropriate corrections."
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