The BBC is urged to suspend two journalists in row over pro-Hamas and anti-Israel social media posts

The BBC is facing calls to suspend two journalists who shared anti‑Israel posts or 'liked' videos celebrating the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on social media.

Last night, Nicola Richards, Tory MP for West Bromwich East and an officer for Conservative Friends of Israel, called for the Corporation to suspend the BBC Arabic journalists while it investigates.

Soha Ibrahim and Marie-Jose Al Azzi were credited with reporting on a BBC story which carried claims Israeli soldiers beat and humiliated Palestinian medics during a hospital raid in Gaza last month.

The BBC's report last week led to international condemnation of Israel, with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron calling for 'answers from the Israelis'.

Marie-Jose Al Azzi (left) described Israel as a 'terrorist apartheid state' in a post from 2018 that has since been deleted and Soha Ibrahim (right) 'liked' a post on October 7 which celebrated 'the first of the martyrs of the operation'

In a statement, the BBC said: 'We do not comment on individual staff matters, however, if we find breaches we take the appropriate action' (File image)

On the day of the Hamas attacks on October 7, Ms Ibrahim 'liked' videos of people in Lebanon and Tunisia dancing and waving Palestinian flags, and Egyptian football fans chanting 'we sacrifice our souls, our blood for Palestine'. 

London-based Ms Ibrahim, who has worked for the BBC for 12 years, also 'liked' a post on October 7 which celebrated 'the first of the martyrs of the operation', it was revealed in The Mail on Sunday yesterday. 

Meanwhile Ms Al Azzi, who has worked at the BBC since 2019 and is based in Lebanon, described Israel as a 'terrorist apartheid state' in a post from 2018 that has since been deleted, according to anti-Semitism researchers.

Ms Richards told the Mail: 'The BBC have got a responsibility not just in the UK, but around the world. People rely on them for impartial news.'

Antisemitism tsar John Mann said: 'Any journalist who likes anything that is overtly racist is clearly not credible. I am sure they will want to investigate these allegations thoroughly.'

In a statement, the BBC said: 'We do not comment on individual staff matters, however, if we find breaches we take the appropriate action.'