Controversy erupts as UK channel pulls reality TV episode featuring pro-Palestine t-shirt

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A British broadcaster has come under fire after removing an episode of a reality show from its streaming platform following a visible display of pro-Palestinian support, according to media reports.

Ali Bromley, a forensic psychologist, appeared in the episode of Big Brother, aired by ITV, wearing a t-shirt depicting a watermelon-shaped map of Palestine.

The watermelon has long been a symbol associated with Palestinian resistance and solidarity, especially on social media.

The episode, originally broadcast on Tuesday night, was taken down from the online streaming platform ITV Hub without explanation and replaced the following evening after being edited to remove the footage of Bromley’s t-shirt.

ITV has not yet commented on the specific reason behind the removal or edit, prompting widespread speculation and criticism from viewers.

Many viewers took to X to express their disapproval, with some accusing ITV of censoring Bromley’s display of solidarity with Palestine.

"Shame on ITV if this is about Ali’s Palestine t-shirt," one user posted, adding that another participant was a Palestinian refugee who had openly discussed his personal struggles on the show, which follows on a group of contestants recorded as they live together in the same house.

Another viewer wrote: "Big Brother is a social experiment, all walks of life with different views and opinions (Ali happens to have very good ones). Don’t go down this road."

Others echoed this sentiment, calling ITV’s decision "truly unbelievable" and "absolutely ridiculous."

ITV has yet to confirm whether Bromley’s t-shirt was the reason for the episode’s removal and subsequent re-upload, with a spokesperson simply stating that the episode was "being replaced" and would be available again on Wednesday night.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since an attack in October of last year by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,800 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,500 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the territory’s entire population amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.