Israel Matzav

More evidence of bias at al-Beeb

Edgar Davidson compares al-Beeb's coverage of the 2002 siege on Islamists holed up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem with yesterday's coverage of the siege on Islamists holed up in the Red Mosque of Islamabad in Pakistan. Not surprisingly, the tones of the two coverages were quite different.

When dozens of the most vicious Islamic terrorists (including 13 who had been directly involved in killing civilians) decided to hole themselves up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem a few days later the whole world was outraged ---- at Israel for having the audacity to attempt to arrest the terrorists in a holy site. The day-by-day account on the BBC website makes clear their total sympathy for the terrorists. As the report itself notes on 20 April "The Greek Orthodox Church calls for international intervention to end the siege and says it holds Israel responsible." and on 2 May it reports "About a dozen international peace activists dash into the church under the Israeli guns, delivering supplies. They tell harrowing stories of conditions inside."

...

But compare both the Pakistani military response and the media response to it. No pussy footing around like the Israelis to ensure no-one was killed. A massive assault with tanks and multiple bombs resulting in many dozens dead despite many women and children being in the compound. And the media reaction? Total sympathy with the Pakistani military action such as on the very same BBC news website.

Anyone for a double standard?

Hey British readers - that's your tax pounds at work!

P.S. We have almost the same lousy TV tax system that you do (left over from the Mandate) and those who both own a TV and pay the tax are paying for left-biased media here too (the Israel Broadcast Authority is responsible for both radio and TV).

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:04 AM