- ABC crew wear keffiyehs in publicity photos
- Jewish groups criticise images from a scientific programme
- READ MORE: Jewish group accuses ABC of biased reporting
The ABC network has come under fire after the film crew of one of its programmes were seen wearing keffiyeh scarves, a garment associated with Palestinian political groups.
Behind-the-scenes photos showed Catalyst staff wearing the distinctive black-and-white checkered helmet over caps, while another group photo with scientists showed three people wearing keffiyehs tied around their necks.
ABC crew were filming at remote Lake Callabonna in South Australia documenting the hunt for megafauna fossils for the two-part series ‘Megafauna: What Killed Australia’s Giants?’
The two-part special was released on the national broadcaster’s iView channel a week ago.
Australian Jewish Association (AJA) chief executive Robert Gregory accused ABC staff of wearing the symbolic clothing to “irritate Australians”.
“Why do they feel the need to politicise a show about ancient marsupials?” he asked Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
Posing with what has become a highly political symbol is a silly stunt designed to irritate Australians.
‘The ABC cannot resist getting involved in left-wing politics and the display of virtues.’
ABC’s camera crew was seen wearing keffiyeh scarves, which are associated with Palestinian groups and causes, in a story that showed the making of the science show Catalyst.
“The ABC Charter calls for impartial reporting, but it does not live up to its own principles. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund the ABC.”
The ABC has strict editorial policies and requires its staff to be impartial in their reporting.
However, ABC’s coverage and staff commentary on the bloody war between Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas have been a frequent source of contention since the current conflict began on October 7 last year.
Substitute radio host Antoinette Lattouf was fired from ABC in December, just three days into a week-long stint, over her posts about the war in Gaza, which condemned all Israeli actions.
Lattouf’s posts on several online platforms were deemed to violate the ABC’s social media policies.
He has since taken legal action against ABC, claiming the decision was political, based on his stance on Palestine and his Lebanese heritage.
Last December, ABC pulled a TikTok story that portrayed consumer boycotts against Israel in a flattering light.
A group photo of ABC’s camera crew and scientists showed three people wearing the distinctive scarves.
ABC reporter Amal Wehbe’s social media post demonstrated how to participate in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) protest movement that targets Israeli products along with companies deemed supportive of the Jewish state.
The story was removed by the ABC after Daily Mail Australia asked the broadcaster about it, but was later republished online.
Mr Gregory said his group was “frustrated by how often the ABC makes mistakes when reporting important international news, particularly about the Middle East”.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ABC for comment.