Dear Mr Thompson

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the BBC’s refusal to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal to raise much needed funds for Gaza.

The reason expressed by you by stating “we could not broadcast a free standing appeal, no matter how carefully constructed, without running the risk of reducing public confidence in BBC’s impartiality in its wider coverage of the story” is not satisfactory and totally unacceptable.   The DEC Appeal is not political; it is a humanitarian appeal trying to address the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

As we all know there has been a complete destruction of schools, hospitals, mosques and homes in Gaza. Many have sustained horrific injuries (including many women and children) and a large number of people have been made homeless. There is a lack of the basic necessities of life which are urgently needed. The broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Appeal would have given great assistance to the people of Gaza when they need it most. We should not stand by idly while such a humanitarian disaster occurs.

Yours sincerely 

The Lord Sheikh