Pro-Palestine T-shirt company slams ITV for erasing it from Big Brother episode

ITV edited and reuploaded a Big Brother episode last night to erase housemate Ali’s Wear The Peace T-shirt – a symbol of solidarity with Palestine amid the ongoing war.

Tuesday’s episode was taken down from streaming service ITVX, and viewers noticed the change when it was reuploaded, sparking huge controversy.

The symbol, which is in the colours of the Palestinian flag, has become synonymous with the pro-Palestine movement amid the ongoing war, which has killed more than 42,000 people in Gaza since the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.

It first emerged in 1967 after the Six-Day War, after public displays of the Palestinian flag became a criminal offense in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Time.

Her T-shirt appears to be Wear The Peace’s Freedom Melon Tee, which donates 100% of profits (around £8 after manufacturing costs) to charity Pious Projects of America, with funds used by the on-ground team in Gaza to supply food, water, medical aid and other necessities.

The back of the T-shirt also reads: ‘100% of profits donated to pious projects for aid to humans in Gaza.’

Wear The Peace have now spoken out about the erasure, saying: ‘Everything p***es them off except for the genocide.

‘Ali Bromley, who wore our Freedom Melon tee on Big Brother UK, has had her shirt edited out after the show removed the episode and added it back with the edit.

‘For everyone who has our Freedom Melon design, wear it with pride. They don’t want you showcasing your solidarity with the rightful homeowners. Free Paestine.’

The removal of Ali’s T-shirt came after it sparked an antisemitism row, with charity Campaign Against Antisemitism submitting a complaint to Ofcom after pointing out that the watermelon design was in the shape of Israel on a map.

They shared a statement on social media, writing: ‘How is this becoming the norm?

‘A Big Brother (@bbuk) ‘housemate’ was seen wearing a T-shirt depicting the map of Israel as a watermelon—a symbol widely associated with anti-Israel sentiment.

‘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. We have submitted a complaint to @Ofcom.’

Metro confirmed that Tuesday’s Big Brother episode and the spin-off Late and Live were edited to remove the image, as ITV provided a statement.

A Big Brother spokesperson said: ‘All Housemate items are checked by our production team before they go into the Big Brother House to ensure they comply with the Rules and compliance requirements.

‘Big Brother does not allow any personal items into the House that could be deemed harmful.

‘We regret that the implications of this particular item of clothing were not fully understood in our bag checks or prior to broadcast of last night’s show.

‘We apologise to any viewers who have been offended by the broadcast and assure viewers that Big Brother was unaware of the implications of the image.   

‘The item of clothing has been removed from the House. The Housemate has been spoken to and they have expressed that they are unaware of the implications and did not wish to cause any harm or offence.

‘Any offensive messaging associated with the image does not reflect the values or beliefs of Big Brother.’

The editing has sparked controversy from viewers, with many questioning why other aspects of the show, such as Nathan’s political comments, Ryan’s ‘anti-woke’ views, and Marcello’s allegedly misogynistic comments are still allowed.

Before entering the show, Ali, originally from Leicester, said she believes the way she expresses her opinions could ‘rub someone up the wrong way’.

She said: ‘If someone does something I think maybe isn’t kind, or could have been a bit better thought through, I have this thing where I tend to tell people. I can be quite direct.

‘It doesn’t always land well – that could well get me nominated.’

Ali has recently clashed with Marcello and Khaled in the house, who said if he won the series he would donate the £100,000 prize money to his home countries of Lebanon and Palestine.

She has accused him of being ‘fake’, and told him: ‘You and I are done, our bridges are burnt. I don’t like you, you don’t like me, I’m cool with that.’

Khaled. who is now up for nomination with Marcello, Nathan and Izaaz, responded saying that is ‘absolutely fine’.