An MP has voiced “serious concerns” about the BBC’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
Andrew Percy, the vice chair of Conservative Friends of Israel, accused some parts of the media of “institutionalised” Israelphobia.
Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, he said: “I want to focus on the issue of Israelphobia which is just a new and updated form of anti-Semitism, in particular, what I think is institutionalised is Israelphobia in parts of our media.
“I believe, and have become increasingly concerned, about the tone of the coverage of this conflict in parts of the media, the one-sided nature of that and what it is doing to fuel Jew hate in this country.”
The debate was about the increase in anti-Semitic offences.
Mr Percy said Israelphoia is “pure and simple” anti-Semitism.
He added: “Sadly, we have seen that now ingrained in parts of the media. I’m a big supporter of the media. I’ve been a big supporter of the BBC.
“I’ve never bought into the Defund the BBC campaign but I have serious concerns about some of the coverage we have seen.
“Israel has been singled out for special treatment and I believe that is directly putting Jews in this country at risk.”
Mr Percy pointed to coverage of a deadly blast at the crowded Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City in October.
The MP accused the broadcaster of “immediately” reporting the incident “with Hamas propaganda”.
The broadcaster faced intense criticism when one journalist speculated Israel was behind the hospital attack which killed scores of people.
Mr Percy also accused the BBC of reporting Hamas’s figures on civilian casualties “without qualification”.
Figures have suggested that around 75 per cent of British Jews consider the BBC biassed of this conflict
Mr Percy said: “We have good reason to feel that.”
The BBC has been contacted for a comment.
