BBC staff quit journalists’ union after being told to dress in Palestinian colours

Journalists Resign Over Union Call to Wear Palestinian Colors at Work

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has confirmed that BBC journalists have resigned from the union after it circulated a directive from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) urging members to wear Palestinian colors or keffiyehs as part of a "Day of Action for Palestine." The event, scheduled for November 28, calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and an end to violence.

However, the recommendation to adopt Palestinian attire has sparked controversy within the BBC. Staff members expressed concerns about impartiality, with one journalist telling The Times that the suggestion violates the BBC’s editorial guidelines. “BBC journalists, who pride themselves on impartiality, are being encouraged to support a political cause,” the staffer said, calling the directive “hypocritical and antisemitic.”

Jewish employees at the broadcaster raised the issue with HR director Nigel Lewis, who reportedly escalated it to HR leads across the corporation. BBC Security is also aware of potential tensions arising from the wearing of Palestinian symbols or colors in the workplace.

The NUJ later issued a statement to members clarifying that those working in public service broadcasting have obligations to impartiality and social media guidelines, which the union does not wish to undermine. Nonetheless, the backlash has led to resignations, with reports suggesting that more members may follow suit.

Freelance journalist Charlotte Henry, who resigned from the NUJ, wrote in her newsletter, The Addition, that the union had become “a hostile environment for Jews.”

The TUC, which has not previously asked workers to wear national colors in other conflicts, confirmed it did not make a similar call for Ukraine during its war with Russia. For the Day of Action, however, participants are encouraged not only to wear Palestinian colors but to post photos online showing solidarity.

The Board of Deputies criticized the unions for “playing student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant.” The Board’s statement warned that bringing such issues into workplaces risks exacerbating the “belligerent atmosphere” already faced by many Jewish employees.