From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 4, 2025
After antisemitism allegations, BBC to require staff to take anti-discrimination training
Zev Stub is the Times of Israel's Diaspora Affairs correspondent.
Following widespread criticism of how it broadcast Israel’s war in Gaza, the BBC has ordered all staff members to complete a training course on antisemitism.
According to a note sent by BBC Director-General Tim Davie yesterday, staff will have six months to complete anti-discrimination e-learning courses on antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“As an organization, we stand united against any form of discrimination, prejudice, or intolerance,” Davie wrote.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews says it welcomes the announcement, which follows months of discussions it held with the BBC, including a meeting held on Tuesday, which addressed antisemitism training, concerns relating to BBC Arabic, and wider Middle East coverage.
“The BBC finds itself in a moment of challenge and opportunity,” Board of Deputies President Phil Rosenberg says. “It can continue in the same vein, with the same problems, or it can make changes that restore trust and pride in the central place of our national broadcaster in an ever-more fraught and fractious media and societal landscape. We hope that today’s announcement on antisemitism training to all staff is the start of a more positive journey.”
Davie announced his resignation from his position last month after a leaked internal memo highlighted editorial bias in the British public broadcaster’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, in the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump, and on transgender issues. He will remain in the position until the board finds a replacement.
The Times of Israel Community.