Plaid MEP Jill Evans has urged the BBC to broadcast an appeal for Gaza by the Disasters Emergency Committee. The MEP raised the possibility that the BBC's national regions should be given the freedom to decide for themselves whether to broadcast the appeal or not.

Plaid Cymru will add a link to the DEC Appeal to its website and broadcast the appeal online.

Ms Evans commented:

"This is a shocking decision for a public service broadcaster and I'm sure many BBC staff are appalled at the the behaviour of their London bosses.

"The Disasters Emergency Committee appeal is not political, it's about raising money to help the victims of conflict and support the work of charities in the region. The United Nations has said that the appeal is absolutely necessary.

"The BBC has broadcast similar appeals in the past so what's different this time?

"I wonder if staff and managers at BBC Wales share the the views of the Director General? There is a strong case for giving BBC Wales and BBC Scotland the freedom to decide for themselves whether to broadcast the appeal."

Plaid President Dafydd Iwan said:

"I think the BBC is totally out of order in refusing to televise the Gaza appeal. This surely is a humanitarian issue, and an appeal for people in desperate need for help; it is not a question of taking sides. The BBC is showing a great lack of judgment as a public broadcaster, and we call upon it to change its decision immediately.

"It is disappointing to see that Sky News has also decided not to broadcast the appeal."

Diwedd/Ends.

Note:

To donate, go to the Disasters Emergency Committee web site www.dec.org.uk.