Sky News joins BBC in Gaza appeal ban

LONDON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Britain's Sky News says it has joined the BBC in refusing to air a commercial appealing for charitable donations for residents of Gaza.

Like the BBC, the satellite broadcaster says it's refusing to air the advertisement from the Disasters Emergency Committee -- which asks for donations for Palestinians left without homes, food, water or medicine after the 22-day Gaza military operation by Israel -- because doing so might compromise its impartiality, The Times of London reported Monday.

Three other terrestrial British television channels, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, have pledged to show the appeal.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has urged the BBC to change its mind as more than 10,000 viewers lodged complaints with the broadcaster objecting to its stance.

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson, speaking on the "Today" radio program Monday, acknowledged the suffering in Gaza but told listeners he could not allow the network to endanger its impartiality by seeming to endorse help for the victims on one side of a complex conflict, The Times reported.