[Benjamin]

BIG Brother was at the centre of an anti-Semitism row yesterday after a housemate wore a T-shirt depicting a map of Israel as a watermelon.

The symbol, widely associated with anti-Israel sentiment, sparked claims ITV was allowing “genocidal” views to be broadcast to millions of viewers.



The Campaign Against Antisemitism complained to Ofcom and said last night: “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.

“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.”

Contestant Ali Bromley, a forensic psychologist, wore the controversial T-shirt in the garden of the Big Brother house.

Viewers were in shock at the T-shirt being screened, branding it “vile” and “despicable”.

Zalman Muhammad said: “This is harmful, and she needs to go.”

Another viewer said: “She’s a horrible nasty piece of work. Smiling assassin.”

The episode was pulled off ITVX on Tuesday night, before being re-uploaded to the site on Wednesday.

A tweet from ITVX today said: "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."

Watermelons have been a symbol of Palestinian nationalism dating back decades.

They have seen a resurgence during Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza.

The fruit is linked with Palestinian activism because their colours - red, black, white and green - match the colours of the Palestinian flag.

That symbol became widespread during the decades when Israel banned the waving of the Palestinian flag in Gaza and the West Bank.

Actress Jennifer Garner’s daughter wore a sweatshirt with the watermelon cut into the shape of a map earlier this year.

The group StopAntisemitism took offence at the map - meant to display the shape of Palestine - saying that it “erases the entire country of Israel,” envisioning a Palestinian state in the territory that now encompasses Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Before Big Brother, Ali said she was looking forward to "just being away and thrown into a totally new environment, completely different to anything I’ve done before, completely different to anything I’ll ever do in the future".

She said: "I think the fact that I’m a forensic psychologist will surprise people.

"It’s not your everyday, typical nine-to-five office job. It’s quite difficult, it’s quite demanding, and I work in highly stressful situations."

She continued: "But I’m quite chilled and probably don’t look like the sort of person who can hold my own – in a prison, for example."

Last week, Big Brother sparked a furore when narrator Marcus Bentley announced: “Daze and Khaled are in the bedroom discussing Palestine.”

The production team was accused of prejudices as the duo were in reality discussing Israel and the wider Middle East when Daze said:

“Actually, if you, like, boil it down, no one should be killed like this. It’s, like, not OK, regardless of the situation.”

The Sun has approached Big Brother for comment.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/31268053...atermelon/amp/

[Niamh.]

I thought it was a water melon

[Maru]

Me too, it looks tasty

[Swan]

Not racist at all = Queen!

[MTVN]

I see the problem now, the melon is in the shape of Israel so is representing the erasure of Israel by Palestine

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Swan

Not racist at all = Queen!

I think they're stretching about the t shirt, she's a very unpleasant person though.

[Kate!]

Ffs. It's a t shirt with a pic of a watermelon on it. The majority of people won't even think about any negative connotations? It'll surely just be taken at face value. What a hoo har over nothing.

Absolutely ridiculous.

[Swan]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

I think they're stretching about the t shirt, she's a very unpleasant person though.

As long as you're on the right team and all that

[Crimson Dynamo]

Just when you could not dislike this moron anymore

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I see the problem now, the melon is in the shape of Israel so is representing the erasure of Israel by Palestine

Went right over my head

[Cherie]

so that is why yesterdays ep is not available to view...

[Jordan.]

Need to see BB confiscating it like Pete Burns gorilla coat

[Liam-]

What a waste of time and energy

[_Tom_]

Surely they checked their clothes before they went in?

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Cherie

so that is why yesterdays ep is not available to view...

Omg just checked, it's still not available .

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

Omg just checked, it's still not available .

it will go back up hang in there GH

[Lostie!]

So she's now been accused of both Zionism and antisemitism

[GoldHeart]

Originally Posted by Lostie!

So she's now been accused of both Zionism and antisemitism

For what it's worth I don't think she's racist , but I think she has a big problem with men...and that is my opinion .I know you may not agree with it .

[Swan]

Originally Posted by Lostie!

So she's now been accused of both Zionism and antisemitism

Racism only works one way it seems. It's fine to hate a demographic of people you don't agree with, but as long as they're on your side, its cool.

As Hannah (black Muslim) would say - "progression innit blud"

You people are revolting!

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by Lostie!

So she's now been accused of both Zionism and antisemitism

The level of hatred aimed at her for simply existing and daring to tell a man she thinks he’s fake (which he is) it’s screaming misogyny

[Swan]

Originally Posted by Liam-

The level of hatred aimed at her for simply existing and daring to tell a man she thinks he’s fake (which he is) it’s screaming misogyny

Disgusting how you're all singling out a Muslim man. He's done nothing wrong. Feel free to post what he's actually done wrong in the house? Show us instances of him being "fake".

[Lostie!]

Originally Posted by Swan

Racism only works one way it seems. It's fine to hate a demographic of people you don't agree with, but as long as they're on your side, its cool.

As Hannah (black Muslim) would say - "progression innit blud"

You people are revolting!

Alrighty then

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Liam-

The level of hatred aimed at her for simply existing and daring to tell a man she thinks he’s fake (which he is) it’s screaming misogyny

You hated Ryan with a passion because he had an opinion get off the high horse

[Swan]

Originally Posted by Lostie!

Alrighty then

Yeah, truth never warrants a challenging, point proven response. Glenn proved this earlier.

So hypocritical.

[bots]

can't defend that