Controversy erupts as British channel airs reality TV episode featuring pro-Palestine t-shirt

LONDON

A British broadcaster has come under fire after it removed an episode of a reality show from its streaming platform following a visible show of pro-Palestinian support, according to media reports.

Forensic psychologist Ali Bromley appeared on ITV’s episode of Big Brother wearing a T-shirt depicting a map of Palestine in the shape of a watermelon.

The watermelon has long been a symbol associated with Palestinian resistance and solidarity, especially on social media.

The episode, which originally aired on Tuesday night, was pulled from online streaming platform ITV Hub without explanation and replaced the following evening after it was edited to remove footage of Bromley’s shirt.

ITV has yet to comment on the specific reason behind the removal or editing, prompting widespread speculation and criticism from viewers.

Many viewers took to X to express their disapproval, with some accusing ITV of censoring Bromley’s solidarity with Palestine.

“Shame on ITV if it’s about Ali Palestine’s shirt,” one user posted, adding that another contestant was a Palestinian refugee who openly discussed his personal struggles on the show, which follows a group of time-lapse contestants that live together. in the same house.

Another viewer wrote: “Big Brother is a social experiment, all walks of life with different views and opinions (Ali happens to have some really good ones). Don’t go this way.”

Others echoed the sentiment, calling ITV’s decision “truly unbelievable” and “absolutely ridiculous”.

ITV have yet to confirm whether Bromley’s shirt was the reason for the episode’s removal and subsequent re-upload, with a spokesperson simply saying the episode “has been replaced” and will be available again on Wednesday night.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since last October’s attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

More than 42,800 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and more than 100,500 others have been injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli assault has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has resulted in severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

The Anadolu Agency website contains only part of the news provided to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS) and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.