The BBC faces mounting criticism from people in the media over its decision to remove the docu-film Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from BBC iPlayer, its on-demand video service. So far, 735 people – including prominent actors, directors, and journalists – have signed an open letter urging the broadcaster to halt what they describe as “censorship on Palestine.” The letter, addressed to BBC Chair Samir Shah, Director General Tim Davie, and content chief Charlotte Moore, was published by Artists for Palestine UK. High-profile signatories include actor Riz Ahmed, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, veteran filmmaker Ken Loach, and Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett. Other notable figures lending their names to the protest include Game of Thrones actress Indira Varma, Khalid Abdalla, India Amarteifio, Miriam Margolyes, Ruth Negga, and Juliet Stevenson.

The documentary, which initially aired on BBC Two on February 17, features 14-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri chronicling his life in Gaza. The BBC pulled the programme from its streaming service last week after it found out that Abdullah’s father, Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri, is the deputy minister of agriculture in Gaza.

The BBC alleged that the film’s producers had failed to disclose this information. However, the letter argues that linking a civil service role in agriculture to terrorism is “factually incorrect and dehumanising.” The letter states, “This broad-brush rhetoric assumes that Palestinians holding administrative roles are inherently complicit in violence – a racist trope that denies individuals their humanity and right to share their lived experiences.”