Posted on 06/03/2003 2:22:22 AM PDT by yonif
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has formally complained to the BBC about the profile of Israel that appears on the BBC website.
The complaint, lodged on Monday, noted that while profiles of other countries provide factual information, Israel's profile is "partial, inaccurate and entirely misleading."
The board asserted that the web site implies that Israel is solely to blame for the failure to reach a peace settlement: "There is a complete omission of the main stumbling blocks to peace - continued terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens and the failure of most of the Arab world to recognize Israel's right to exist."
Other countries, it noted, are afforded a "capital," but the profile of Israel refers only to its "seat of government."
The board also complained that references to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon focus on his wealth and housing purchases. He is also accused of triggering the second intifada by visiting the Temple Mount, despite admissions by Palestinian officials that the initifada was planned in advance of Sharon's visit.
At the same time, the board noted the profile of Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat portrays him as a courageous and popular leader with no mention of the terrorist atrocities carried out by the PLO and his regular calls in Arabic for the annihilation of Israel.
"It is unclear why Israel's profile should be presented in so tendentious and unbalanced a manner, whereas other country profiles are objective and balanced," said board director-general Neville Nagler.
"There are many points which are highly inappropriate in the BBC's presentation," he declared, adding: "It is unacceptable for the BBC to display such bias, which falls foul of their own guidelines of impartiality."
The complaint followed publication late last month of "A New Anti-Semitism?" by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, Europe's leading Jewish think-tank. One chapter in the book, "Hatred in the Air," by the London correspondent of The Jerusalem Post, focuses on the BBC's coverage of Israel.
I am actually in Armenia (for the summer) right now, where its 2:37PM. But when I post things, it shows me US time zone, so people might be wondering what I am doing up so late at 5 in the morning.
I am visiting/working here.
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