...
BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Lebanon criticized French efforts to ban the militant group Hezbollah's television station, saying the channel may be anti-Israeli but it is not anti-Semitic.
France's Council of State is expected to act later this month on a July 12 request by France's media watchdog, the CSA, to block broadcasts of Al-Manar TV through the Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat.
CSA was moved to action last December when CRIF, an umbrella group of French Jewish organizations, complained that Al-Manar had televised an anti-Semitic television series in France.
The request comes at a time of increased tension between the governments of Israel and France, and what appears to be a rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recently claimed that France is engulfed in "the wildest anti-Semitism" and urging Jews to leave.
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry defended Al-Manar on Friday, saying the station's programs "condemn the policies of Israeli governments and are not by any means racist or critical of the Jewish faith or people."
Maybe playing both sides isn't going to work for France much longer. They need to figure out who they want to align with and stand up for their decision. In trying to placate both sides, they'll end up with no friends. Too bad the zealous PC Americans can't understand that trying to appease the enemy results in being bitten by the enemy in the end.
Iranian judoko refuses to play against Israeli opponent
Tehran, Aug 15. (AP): Iranian judo champion Arash Miresmaili has withdrawn from the Olympics after refusing to play against an Israeli opponent, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported Saturday.
"I refused to play against an Israeli rival to sympathize with the oppressed Palestinian people," IRNA quoted Miresmaili as saying.
Miresmaili refused to play Israeli opponent Ehud Vaks in the 66-kilogram category.
Miresmaili was world judo champion in 2001 and 2003.
Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, the conservative speaker of Iran's parliament, congratulated Miresmaili on his "brave decision."
"Your disqualification because of supporting Palestine would promote your position in the heart of Muslims," Haddad-Adel said, according to IRNA.
Iran does not recognize Israel and bans any contact with the Jewish state.
Ali Kafashian, deputy head of Iran's sports organization, suggested awarding Miresmaili a special prize because of his refusal.
Earlier, Bahram Afsharzadeh, secretary of Iran's national Olympic committee, said the disqualification of Miresmaili, who carried Iran's national flag in the Olympic opening ceremony, had produced frustration among the Iranian team in Athens.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/007200408150902.htm