So it Goes Again

“The BBC is currently much more interested in the untimely granting of planning permission for a few houses for Jews. Joe Biden’s visit was just in time for that, but, dammit, just too late for the ceremonial dedication of a public square to Dalal Mughrabi.”

Forgive me for re-posting a snippet of my own copy. I’ve been away from a computer, and now I see that Robin Shepherd has written another cracking article about the BBC’s treatment of these events and the BBC’s attitude to Israel in general.


“What in fact is the BBC line against Israel, as evidenced by the thrust of its writing and reporting?”

He cites five examples of certain stories the BBC has chosen to ignore or downplay. Had the BBC given them the prominence they actually merit, a different light would have been cast on the situation. One that would render the BBC’s entire narrative on Israel incoherent.

“That is why the Dalal Mughrabi story was ignored. That is why the BBC continues to censor all reference to Hamas’s anti-Semitism from their profile of the group on their website. That is why terrorists are referred to as “militants”. And what applies to the BBC applies in Europe more broadly.

By leaving the general population in a state of near total unawareness about the realities that Israel confronts in its dealings with the Palestinians, even neutral and unbiased observers are bound to come away with the impression that Israel is the guilty party in this conflict.

This is real censorship. And it works.”

Writers that understand the case for Israel and have a grasp of the I/P conflict invariably mention the BBC’ s slanted coverage. The biased reporting that has gone on for the last forty years has a helluva lot to answer for.
Robin Shepherd is one of the more eloquent supporters of Israel, and he is by no means alone in regarding the BBC’s deficiencies over this matter with deep despair.

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23 Responses to So it Goes Again

  1. John Anderson says:

    That article is absolutely superb – a vivid summary of the sly and slippery way the BBC controls the narrative on the Middle East – continual omission of all the bad stuff (no – EVIL stuff) about the Palestinians.

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  2. TooTrue says:

    As they say, he’s nailed it. The BBC simply echos the anti-Israel prejudice of the “liberal” left/radical Islam alliance and will not deviate an inch from the unwritten rules that govern that prejudice. And the “moderators” who have censorshiop powers on its blogs do the same. They removed the following comment of mine:

    1012. KongKing,

    You’re amused? You don’t fool me. Bemused is more like it. You expect me to snap to attention and follow your orders while you fling your anti-Semitic insults around comparing Jews to Nazis? You win this month’s Internet prize for unthinking arrogance.

    I’ve given you and Phosgene far more attention than you warrant and I’m sure the following question will be too difficult and unpleasant for you two so I’ll ask it of anyone else willing to debate it:

    Has there ever been a Palestinian terrorist who warned the Israelis beforehand that he was going to blow up a building?

    I ask because the Irgun gave three warnings before they blew up British military headquarters at the King David Hotel.

    And this one was also too rough for the sensibilities of the little dears:

    Simon, no 122, you wrote,

    “Immediate trade and arms sanctions need to be imposed against Israel to encourage them to the table to discuss how the 2 peoples will be able to live as equal citizens of 1 state.”

    Muslims don’t live together in a country with members of other religions as equals. If they can, they dominate them, oppress them and either kill them or drive them out.

    You’ve never noticed that? This is precisely why a one state solution simply means the demise of the Jews. No doubt that’s why so many people are pushing for it.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/can_the_us_vicepresident_broke.html?page=3#comments

    That’s the BBC. These unpleasant truths must be suppressed lest people wake up to the drive by radical Islam for world domination.

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  3. Biodegradable says:

    I almost choked on my coffee this morning listening to the World Service, the BBC actually allowed somebody to put Israel’s case!

    Eric Cantor, Republican “Jewish American” Congressman, and Republican whip.

    Listen here on the iPlayer, should also be available outwith the UK, at about 30.39, after the piece on Juarez:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p006lykd

    The BBC is still spinning the story of the building in Jerusalem being the cause of the recent “unrest”, but the real reason is the Arabs’ indignation that the Jews have the temerity to rededicate the ancient Hurva synagogue. What exactly is the problem with Jews rebuilding a synagogue in Jerusalem?

    The history of the Hurva synagogue is important too. Twice destroyed, by Muslims:
    http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=170971

    The BBC have been silent on the incitement to violence coming from the Palestinians – the spreading of rumours that the Jews are undermining the very foundations of Al-Aqsa:
    http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170950

    Those rumours like the ones that sparked massacres of Jews in the 1920s, before the State of Israel.

    http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?ID=171176

    I’ve been posting on HYS too, as TrueToo knows. My last post about antisemitism has been “referred to the moderators” and probably will be deleted because it includes a link to this video:

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    • Biodegradable says:


      Subject: Your BBC Posting has been removed

      Dear Have Your Say contributor,

      Thank you for contributing to a Have Your Say debate. Unfortunately we’ve had to remove your content below

      Posts to the BBC website will be removed if they contain material that considers to be potentially defamatory.

      Regards,

      The BBC Moderation Team

      URL of content (now removed):
      http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/blog477/F16418710?thread=7354825&post=93709700#p93709700

      Subject:
      What now for Middle East peace?

      Posting:
      1086. At 8:48pm on 16 Mar 2010, Muhammed Ram Christ Singh wrote:

      “1085. At 6:56pm on 16 Mar 2010, FirstBiodegradable wrote:
      1083. At 6:03pm on 16 Mar 2010, Muhammed Ram Christ Singh wrote:

      1076. At 4:07pm on 16 Mar 2010, FirstBiodegradable wrote:
      1075. At 3:07pm on 16 Mar 2010, Muhammed Ram Christ Singh wrote:

      “I thought you were referring wearing Star of David in A MUSLIM country!! Why such a geographical leap?”

      I was pointing out that a mere 30 years ago not only was I, a non-Israeli Jew, free to wear a Star of David in a Muslim country, but that emblem of my Jewishness even evoked curiosity and led to Arabs offering me their legendary hospitality and taking me into their homes.

      I made a geographical leap to the UK (previously I had linked to a story from Sweden) to show how now, as a result of efforts to de-legitimise the State of Israel and demonise Jews everywhere, Jewish students in the UK were being marginalised and attacked in British places of learning – just for being Jewish.

      Let’s make another geographical leap; to the University of California Irvine. Here’s the British MP George Galloway and his supporters.

      Note that *some* of the “protesters” are wearing keffiyahs, and many are laughing and smiling while they urge Jews to “get back in ovens”:

      This is an example of what the media describe as “peace activists”.

      Don’t you think that the US government could be taking steps to control the spread of that kind of hatred in the US, as a step towards bringing peace to the ME?

      This e-mail, and any attachment, is confidential… The contents of
      this message may contain personal views which are not the views of the
      BBC, unless specifically stated.

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  4. Biodegradable says:

    I ommitted to mention that Eric Cantor manages to make the point that the building in Jerusalem is in a part that is in an undisputed area that would never become part of any future “Palestinian” state.

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  5. Abandon Ship! says:

    Chutzpah

    Al Bowen on the Today programme this morning makes much of Netanyahu saying different things to different constituencies, one thing to his RIGHT-WING base and another to the outside world.

    However, can I ever remember Al Bowen ever mentioning the absolute masters in this – the Palestinians of course, who use the language of jihad and violent antisemitism when addressing the faithful, but play the oppressed victim when addressing the outside world?

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  6. hippiepooter says:

    Recently the BBC were leading the charge to accuse the Met Police of racism because they stop and search more black youths than others.

    If this can be considered as a justifiable criteria to accuse people of racism, the criteria to accuse the BBC of anti-semitism is a 100 times stronger.

    The chance of a political party launching a sustained attack against this cankerous monolith for its vicious anti-semitism is virtually nil.  The bitch that gave birth to the Third Reich is no longer in heat again.  It’s given birth.

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  7. John Anderson says:

    We should always remember that Obama worshipped for 20 years with Jeremiah Wright – an inflammatory anti-Semite.

    He NEVER criticises the Palestinians.  And nor does the BBC.

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  8. Davieboy says:

    Thaks Sue for posting this and leading me to Robin’s blog.

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  9. NRG says:

    BBC World Service last night was a treat.

    Palensinians boycotting Israeli goods – some discussion and contribution from Palestinians about how to ensure the boycott was as effective as possible. No comment from Israeil side, no suggestion that it might be an anti-semitic movement.

    Some emotive guff about “powerrless” forced to throw rocks out of fustratrion and some mood music about nasty armed jews attacking them with rubber bullets. Agian comment only permitted from one side of the debate. No mention of those rockets and suicide bombers.

    These were intersperced with a story about Africans erronously blaming themselves for climate change when it was all the fault of those nasty white capitalists. Climate change – global warming and all teh fault of man made C02 were all simply presented as fact.

    Appaling bias and appaling journalism.

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  10. burbette123 says:

    Not only are they biased, but ignorant as well.  Some beeboid called Wood, didn’t get the first  name kept mispronouncing the name of the newspaper Haaretz.  Now is someone is in Israel they should at least learn a few basic words of Hebrew.  So how are we to believe anyone so woefully sloppy?
    Idea for your comment —- what would happen if we stopped the bbc from doing news?  They’re after all not too bad at the drama and comedy and some of the non-political documentaries.  Just keep their mitts off the news!

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  11. James says:

    Surely no-one expects unbiased news reporting from the BBC when it comes to Israel!

    A bit off topic, I know, but I don’t understand why Israel tolerates these Palestinians at all. Why not drive them all into the sea, instead of this tedious piecemeal occupation / demolition / construction? Sure, they’ll get criticism, but they get criticised whatever they do – why not solve the problem immediately and irrevocably?

       0 likes

    • David Preiser (USA) says:

      Moby alert.  This is the kind of thing that discredits everyone else.

         0 likes

      • James says:

        I’m not sure what a “Moby Alert” is, but I assure you I’m making a serious point. If we’re all on the side of the Israelis, let’s get rid of the Palestinian problem. It’s a no-brainer, surely?

        What else do you propose doing with the Palestinians? Continuing the siege of Gaza, taking back the West Bank bit by tiny bit…sod that. Just get it done.

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        • Paul says:

          Moby DICK alert

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        • David Preiser (USA) says:

          Charming.  You’re making a bullshit point.  You’re pulling a Moby.  Get lost.

             0 likes

          • James says:

            Enjoy your circle-jerk, David!

            You know, people come on this forum just to laugh at you all frothing in your impotence.

               0 likes

            • David Preiser (USA) says:

              That’s three sexual innuendoes in one comment.  Well done.  Thanks for admitting that you’ve been busted, though.  We do appreciate the honesty.

                 0 likes

            • Paul says:

              Shows this blog is starting to get some traction: The Beeboids, eco-loons & anti-semites like James have started trolling in a pathetic attempt to discredit this site. Of course they’re just trying to hold onto their cushy state-funded jobs. Change is coming leeches – I recommend you start work on your CV instead of wasting your time posting here.

                 0 likes

              • James says:

                Criticism of Israel = anti-semite.

                Pathetic.

                Private sector job, by the way.

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  12. Biodegradable says:

    pounce has spotted a good one with his miltary trained eye for, well, things “military”.
    http://eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com/2010/03/bbc-and-its-love-fir-hamas.html

    The BBC uses a photo of a man building a rocket launcher (using a power tool) to bitch about power shortages in Gaza.

    One would say, “you couldn’t make it up!”.

    But the BBC does…

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  13. David Preiser (USA) says:

    Here’s an important human rights story about the Palestinians that the BBC somehow has ignored:

    Major Palestinian Demonstration Against Palestinian Honor Killings.  Never Heard About It?

    I’m not saying the BBC should stop talking about the noise with the settlements and the US or anything, although I think it’s actually more important.  But, how can this be totally ignored by the BBC?  What sort of priorities do these people have?  I know they like to suppress stories about honor killngs, and this is a prime example of just how screwed up the morals are at BBC News.  If they don’t cover this, it’s a sign that the Beeboids have very little credibility on women’s rights.

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