Protesters burn their TV licences after staging a sit-in at the BBC in London.

Donations double after advert airs.

DONATIONS to an emergency fund for Gaza doubled overnight after three TV channels broadcast an appeal that the BBC and Sky News have refused to show.

Members of the public have now pledged more than £1 million (€1.07m) to help tackle the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said.

Terrestrial broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five showed the DEC’s televised appeal for donations last night.

More than 100 MPs from all parties have signed an early-day motion criticising the decision taken by BBC and Sky News not to air the three-minute film.

Demonstrators staged protests at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London, burning their TV licences and occupying the building’s reception until they were removed by police.

DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley said: “We really do appreciate the support of the British public who have shown their generosity when confronted with scenes of a dire humanitarian emergency.

“All the money raised will go directly to helping the innocent families in Gaza who have been left without basic everyday necessities that we take for granted such as food, shelter and healthcare.”

BBC director general Mark Thompson said: “We are passionate about defending the BBC’s impartiality and we worry with such an emotive and such a political story.”

John Ryley, head of Sky News, said “absolute impartiality” was fundamental to his channel’s approach.

He said that “broadcasting an appeal for Gaza at this time is incompatible with our role in providing balanced and objective reporting of this continuing situation to our audiences in the UK and around the world”.

Meanwhile Peace campaigner Maria Gallastegui, 50, vowed to continue her 16-day hunger strike indefinitely as she delivered a petition to Downing Street yesterday morning.