BBC criticised for “sympathetic” interview with woman who cut down hostage ribbons
The broadcaster has been condemned by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK for an interview with self-described 'Palestinian Jew', Nadia Yahlom
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in the UK has condemned a decision by the BBC to publish a sympathetic interview with a self-described “Palestinian Jew” who was filmed cutting down yellow ribbons for Israeli hostages in Gaza, describing it as “deeply disappointing”.
Last week, a woman identified as Nadia Yahlom was filmed cutting down yellow hostage ribbons on the eve of the second anniversary of 7 October. When challenged by onlookers, the self-described “Palestinian Jew” claimed that the ribbons were “condoning genocide”.
Yahlom is married to a Palestinian actor, Mo’min Swiatat, who subsequently claimed that the couple had been “attacked by a group of extremist group [sic] probably working for the Israeli Mosad [sic]…we have been attacked and stranded to be killed.”
On Tuesday, the BBC published a piece titled ‘why I cut down hostage ribbons’, in which it spoke “exclusively” with Yahlom. The PhD student, who previously studied at Cambridge and Goldsmiths, claimed that her actions were “a peaceful form of protest”, saying said she had felt “offended, intimidated and threatened” by the presence of the ribbons. She further claimed that she “actually wasn’t aware that it was close to the anniversary”, but went on to say that discussion about the “oppression of Palestinian people” should go “all the way back to 1948”.
She told BBC London that “after two years of “genocide” in Gaza, “we are still being told that the only lives worth commemorating, the only lives that have any value, are Jewish lives”.
Comments online responding to the BBC interview included “that this even got past a BBC editorial decision is sickening”, “how does this qualify as ‘journalism’ anyway, it’s a disgrace”, and “They’ll have her on ‘Strictly’ next year”.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in the UK said: “The yellow ribbon is a sign of hope — a worldwide symbol for the 251 babies, women, and men who were taken hostage on 7 October. It represents compassion, solidarity, and the simple plea to bring them home.
“Currently, 24 deceased hostages remain in Gaza. The yellow ribbon stands for all of them — a universal humanitarian message, not a political one. It reminds the world, and the families, that they are not forgotten.”
While the 20 living hostages were released from captivity yesterday, the bodies of two dozen more remain in Gaza, a violation by Hamas of the agreement brokered by Donald Trump late last week.
“For 739 days, families have endured unimaginable pain — waiting for news, praying for the return of their loved ones so they can finally be given the dignity of a proper burial and farewell”, the statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK continued.
“Some were murdered on 7 October 2023 and their bodies taken; others were murdered in captivity or neglected so severely that they did not survive.
“It is heartbreaking that a symbol of unity and empathy has been met with hostility and hate. We urge everyone to recognise the yellow ribbon for what it truly is: a sign of shared humanity, and an enduring hope that every hostage will come home.”
“It is deeply disappointing that the BBC has chosen to give a sympathetic platform to someone who has repeatedly torn down these symbols of hope — especially at a time when antisemitism in the UK has reached alarming levels. The Jewish community now represents around 0.5% of the population, yet is the target of nearly 30% of all recorded hate crimes.
“By amplifying inaccurate and inflammatory accusations, the BBC risks fuelling division instead of fostering understanding. We urge responsible journalism that reflects the true meaning of the yellow ribbon: compassion, remembrance, and an enduring hope that every hostage will come home.”
A BBC spokesperson said:
“We do not take lightly the impact our reporting may have. We covered the Jewish community’s anger at the cutting down of the ribbons and the subsequent police investigation. This report is part of our ongoing coverage of the incident to try to understand the motivation for such an act.”
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