BBC accepts it failed to ‘continually challenge’ Tehran professor
Days after report criticises BBC treatment of Israel, Radio 4 interview airs in which Israel repeatedly accused of genocide
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
The BBC has made a partial climbdown over an inflammatory interview with an Iranian academic on Tuesday morning’s Radio 4 Today programme, its flagship news programme, insisting he was challenged during the interview but “accepting” his language should have continued to be challenged.
In a live interview with presenter Mishal Husain, Sayed Mohammad Maradi, introduced as a professor of English literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran, repeatedly called Israel a “genocidal regime” and attacked Britain and the West for “justifying crimes” carried out by Israel.
Maradi added: “Iranians will definitely do whatever it takes to make sure that the Israel regime fails in its genocide in Gaza and its genocidal airstrikes in Lebanon”.
When Mishal Husain asked him what he meant by “whatever it takes”, Maradi launched into an uninterrupted rant, declaring: “Just as the UK supports this holocaust in Gaza, just as it supports the slaughter of the Lebanese and just as it justifies whatever actions the Israeli regime takes, we have no doubt that they will be with the Israelis until the very last Palestinian.
“Because we are all Amalek in this part of the world. We are inferior. They are the chosen people, they are your allies… the only solution, the only way forward is resistance. There is nothing that will stop this Israeli regime, that is the nature of the regime, it’s an expansionist regime that believes in ethno-supremacism, believes that they are the chosen people, they have exceptional rights, and therefore have exceptional rights in the region. It’s not just Palestine today, it goes beyond the borders of Palestine”.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said it was “deeply concerned about our national broadcaster allowing such language to be transmitted via the airwaves without clear pushback”, and say they will be raising the matter with the BBC at the highest level.
In strong criticism of the interview, CST policy director Dave Rich said the broadcast was “appalling” and that “the BBC should explain themselves.” Historian Sir Simon Schama said it was “breathtakingly irresponsible not to push back. Why, in any case, does Today repeatedly go to a ‘professor of English literature’ for wisdom on Iranian foreign and military policy — not that he ever gives it?”
Maradi was introduced as both a professor at the university and a former adviser to the Iranian government. What the introduction did not make clear was his previous vicious language about Israel — a cursory glance at his Twitter/X feed sees him writing about “Israeli Nazis”.
A BBC spokesperson told Jewish News: “The Today programme covered the latest developments in Lebanon and the Middle East and interviewed a range of people including IDF spokesperson Lt Col Peter Lerner, US diplomat Dennis Ross and Iranian academic Mohammad Marandi to get a broad perspective on the complex politics of the region.
“Mohammed Marandi was interviewed to gain an understanding of the view from Iran, and what their response is likely to be. This was a live interview and he was challenged during the course of the interview, and the Israeli position was reflected. However, we accept we should have continued to challenge his language throughout the interview.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
