Big Brother has been plunged into a new anti-semitism row after a housemate’s pro-Palestine T-shirt was edited out.
Contestant Ali Bromley, a forensic psychologist, was accused of portraying genocidal views when she wore the controversial top depicting a map of Israel as a watermelon.
Critics slammed the show as they claimed the image carried implications calling for ‘the elimination of the world’s only Jewish state’.
The episode was pulled off ITVX on Tuesday night, before being re-uploaded to the streaming service on Wednesday.
But now the channel have sparked fresh controversy after editing the footage to crop out the charged graphic – as furious viewers claim they are censoring pro-Palestinian views and going against the ethos of the show.
One, pop culture account Super TV, claimed ITV were ‘allowing the censorship of housemates views’.
They said: ‘The values and beliefs of Big Brother state that it is a REALITY TV show cited as “the original social experiment” filled with people from “all walks of life”.’
The channel have sparked fresh controversy after editing the footage to crop out the charged graphic – as furious viewers claim they are censoring pro-Palestinian views and going against the ethos of the show
Contestant Ali Bromley, a forensic psychologist, was accused of portraying genocidal views when she wore the controversial top depicting a map of Israel as a watermelon
The episode was pulled off ITVX on Tuesday night, before being re-uploaded to the streaming service on Wednesday. Pictured: Ali Bromley
They continued: ‘What are the underlined ‘implications’ of this watermelon in your statement? Can you please address the 10,000+ complaints against the removal of this t-shirt?’
Another complained: ‘A shirt with a watermelon is harmful??? Just when you thought this show couldn’t get any worse…’
And a third raged: ‘Yeah because it’s really harmful and offensive to not support bombing children. What a cop out from ITV.’
The fruit is linked with Palestinian activism because their colours – red, black, white and green – match the colours of the Palestinian flag. It has been used to represent the embattled state since the Six-Day War in 1967, when flying the flag was outlawed in Gaza.
The t-shirt appears to be Wear The Peace’s Freedom Melon Tee, Metro reports. The £22 top donates all of its profits to Gaza to supply food, water, medical aid, and other necessities to the region.
Devoted fans are now threatening to boycott the series over the omission.
One, called Will, said ‘I won’t be watching tonight’s Big Brother in protest of ITV’s actions in censoring Ali.’
Ryan Ashmore added ‘Not watching tonight sorry’ alongside a series of watermelon emojis, while a third viewer said ‘Well… boycott Big Brother… boycott ITV!!!!’
And another fumed: ‘We all need to come together and seriously boycott Big Brother, they can not get away with this s**t.’
It comes after pro-Jewish charities slammed the broadcaster for allowing the t-shirt to be aired in the first instance.
The channel said that it was accidentally allowed on after staff did not realise the implications of the graphic.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘All Housemate items are checked by our production team before they go into the Big Brother House to ensure they comply with the Rules and compliance requirements.
ITVX took to X to apologise for any offence caused after Bromley was seen in the controversial T-shirt
‘Big Brother does not allow any personal items into the House that could be deemed harmful.
‘We regret that the implications of this particular item of clothing were not fully understood in our bag checks or prior to broadcast of last night’s show.
‘We apologise to any viewers who have been offended by the broadcast and assure viewers that Big Brother was unaware of the implications of the image.
‘The item of clothing has been removed from the House.
‘The Housemate has been spoken to and they have expressed that they are unaware of the implications and did not wish to cause any harm or offence.
‘Any offensive messaging associated with the image does not reflect the values or beliefs of Big Brother.’
The Campaign Against Antisemitism complained to Ofcom last night , saying: ‘How is this becoming the norm?’
It added: ‘This graphic has caused significant distress among the British Jewish community, who regard it as a genocidal message similar to the slogan ‘From the River to the Sea’, which calls for the elimination of the world’s only Jewish state.
The symbol, widely associated with anti-Israel sentiment, went on to spark claims that ITV was allowing ‘genocidal’ views to be shared among the masses
‘How did the show’s staff allow this shirt to be worn, let alone broadcast it on national television?
‘This incident represents a serious violation of broadcasting standards.’
Bromley was spotted wearing the T-shirt in the garden of the Big Brother house, leaving fans of the show in shock as they branded the act ‘vile’ and ‘despicable’.
ITVX also took to X, formerly Twitter today, saying: ‘Thank you for reaching out to us today. Hope you are well.
‘Regarding your question about last night’s Big Brother show, we have some news, it will be available to view later this evening.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this but the wait will be worth it.’
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