BBC staff provided trauma support for abuse and assault for the Israel-Gaza Channel’s coverage

The BBC has offered additional support to staff facing abuse and attacks and whose mental health is suffering as a result of the corporation’s coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Last week, the BBC’s London headquarters were vandalized with red paint by a pro-Palestinian protest group. She accused the channel of having “blood on its hands” over its coverage of Israel and Hamas.

An email seen by Deadline was sent to all BBC News and Current Affairs staff from chief operating officer Sam Taylor, who wrote:

“As we approach two weeks of coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict, I want to share more information about the support available to individuals and teams, including those who work every day with the region’s moving content, images and testimonies.

“I know from my years of dealing with upsetting news that you may be fine, but sometimes things can change and you need a little more help or a chance to talk things through.

“In addition to the staff sessions and resources already available, our safety and mental health specialists offer more targeted support as needed. Below you will find details about the offer. I encourage you to consider using one of these resources.

Resources offered include:

The BBC and its staff have come under increasing pressure in the past two weeks over their coverage of the conflict in the Middle East. Some employees reported that they were personally mistreated. The guard quoting a BBC insider as saying: “It’s proving really stressful” given the added “anger” at the BBC’s coverage because “the coverage is already stressful enough.” [conflict] because… it’s terrible.”

The broadcaster confirmed that it would reduce the use of the word “militant” to describe Hamas. She defended her decision not to use the word “terrorists” to describe the organization. Director General Tim Davie will visit Parliament this week to answer questions from MPs about the company’s reporting.