ABC deletes journalist’s TikTok video about BDS boycotts
The ABC has removed a controversial TikTok video by a Palestinian journalist who described the ‘powerful’ boycott of Israeli businesses without any opposing voices | WATCH
The ABC has deleted a controversial TikTok video by a Palestinian journalist that has been described as being reminiscent of Hitler’s boycott of Jewish businesses.
The one-minute ABC News Australia TikTok video was published this week and discussed the controversial Palestinian BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) scheme and told viewers “organisers say changing sentiment among customers is powerful”.
The report featured Palestinian reporter Amal Wehbe wearing a hijab and discussing BDS which lists brands that it discourages people from buying if the businesses have links to Israel.
The reporter interviewed one person for the video – a supporter of BDS – a business owner called Oz who said, “I worked out I was spending close to 40 to 50 grand a year on Israeli and American product.
“I’ve been in the boycotting of those products for just under two months.”
During the TikTok video it did not offer any dissenting views to the controversial movement and it was subsequently deleted from the ABC News TikTok account on Thursday morning.
Despite the public broadcaster removing the video it was still available on the ABC journalist’s personal TikTok account on Thursday, however it was removed in the early afternoon.
The video was re-uploaded to the ABC News TikTok account on Thursday night, with an editor’s note.
“The spread of the BDS movement is a legitimate story for the ABC to do on any platform,” the note in the video’s caption read.
“This was originally intended as a short profile of one person who has become part of the movement. However, the ABC felt that it did require more context, which has now been included.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission’s chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the TikTok video is “beyond belief and is a kick in the stomach of every Australian Jew.”
“What is happening in ABC Land that they are now allowing taxpayers’ funds to be weaponised in order to mainstream an anti-Semitic campaign that seeks to make the longest hatred palatable and brainwash a well-intentioned young generation to buy into a dangerous agenda?,” he said.
“The evil BDS bandwagon is reminiscent of 1933 Nazi Germany when Hitler’s regime initiated a “Don’t buy from Jews” day, and to have our public broadcaster run a story that champions a malevolent cause that advocates for the destruction of Israel dishonours and taints the ABC.”
He said the ABC board and management should investigate the matter and disciplinary action be taken.
The ABC has been contacted for comment.
Under the ABC’s Code of Conduct it states that it must fulfil its charter including upholding “the fundamental journalistic principles of accuracy and impartiality, to protect the ABC’s independence and integrity.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the conduct of the ABC was “reckless.”
“Publishing promotional content for the anti-Israel BDS movement is reckless and grossly unprofessional, particularly at a time when Jewish businesses are facing vandalism and black-listing,” he said.
“BDS is a modern inquisition that targets businesses if they don’t meet their standards of religious purity.
“The segment made no attempt at balance nor did it challenge the views of those supporting these boycotts.”
It also comes just a day after The Australian revealed ABC Sydney radio’s mornings host Antoinette Lattouf was sacked by the public broadcasterfor a series of anti-Israel posts after the taxpayer-funded broadcaster including chair Ita Buttrose and managing director David Anderson received numerous complaints about her conduct on social media.
On Thursday morning Simon Marnie was left to host both breakfast and mornings after the ABC struggled to find an urgent replacement for Lattouf.
Lattouf said she was “disappointed” by the ABC’s decision and believes she was “terminated unlawfully.”
“I’m currently considering my legal options,” she said on social media.
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