UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has accused the BBC of encouraging illegal conduct in schools  by showing unbalanced and partisan videos about the Middle East on the  “Bitesize” section of its website for use in schools.

The NGO, CAMERA UK, examined seven BBC Middle East educational videos and produced a critical analysis of their bias against Israel, available at https://camera-uk.org/topic/bbc-bitesize/

UKLFI has written to the BBC pointing out that by providing these videos to schools, the BBC is encouraging illegal conduct contrary to sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996.

Section 406 provides:

“Political indoctrination.

(1) The local authority, governing body and head teacher shall forbid— ….

(b) the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school.” … 2

Section 407 provides:

“Duty to secure balanced treatment of political issues.

(1) The local authority, governing body and head teacher shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils while they are—

(a) in attendance at a maintained school …

they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views. …”

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI commented:  “There is a very real problem that indoctrination at a young age is liable to result in lifelong prejudice against Israel.  We would like the BBC to investigate this matter and then remedy the Middle East videos so that there is a balanced presentation of this controversial subject.”