The BBC is holding an ‘impartiality review’ of its coverage of the Middle East. This is the second such review; the first, of BBC coverage of the European Union, found that in a number of respects it was not impartial.
The Palestinian lobby clearly has a particular understanding of what impartiality means. It would appear that a) even to question the delivery of impartiality in the context of the Middle East is by definition loaded b) the BBC’s review is a Jewish plot c) the Jews are as rich as Croesus and are thus able to buy influence and power d) the impartiality review should be targeted by an organised Palestinian lobbying campaign. An email that has been sent out by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign illustrates the charming mindset:
'Subject: BBC Review of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
'Dear PSC Members,
'The BBC Governors have commissioned an "impartiality review" of the
"Israeli-Palestinian conflict". These terms in themselves are loaded. How is it desirable to be impartial towards a brutal illegal occupation? Where does the morality lie in treating oppressor and oppressed alike? Referring to the situation as a conflict between two parties as if they were equal, is likewise misleading. The BBC has been dragooned into this exercise by massive pressure from the zionist lobby. This does not bode well for the outcome.
'The PSC will be making a formal submission to the Review. However, it is vital that PSC members as individuals write or email the
enquiry to make sure the Palestinian case is made. If you have had contact by telephone, email or mail with the BBC please refer to it in your submission. Always be polite, clear and concise. Please send us copies of any submission you make.
'Try to get hold a copy of the book "Bad News from Israel" by Greg Philo and Mike Berry, or ask the office for a copy of the media pack for guidelines. It is worthwhile reading the document on the link below.
'The list of organisations which the panel intends to contact include the Israeli PR company, BICOM, a multi-million pound propaganda machine, along with Conservative Friends of Israel, and the Chief Rabbi: against which are set organisations such as Arab Media Watch and CAABU with nothing like the resources available to the pro-Israel lobby. This imbalance reflects the David and Goliath relationship between Israel and the occupied Palestinians and the self-defeating nature of an inquiry set up under such a false premise, where bias and self-censorship masquerade as impartiality.
'The closing date for receiving responses is 5pm, Friday, November25th, 2005. Please write to: Israeli-Palestinian Impartiality Review, BBC Governance Unit, Room 211, 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4AA. Or send an email to: israelipalestinianreview@bbc.co.uk.
'For full details of the terms of reference, panel biographies,
commissioned research and other background information, please go to:
http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk/docs/reviews/israelipalestinian_terms.txt
You can buy a copy of Greg Philo and Mike Berry's "Bad News from Israel" here: http://www.palestineonlinestore.com/books/badnews.htm
Alternatively, extensive extracts can be viewed here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/sociology/units/media/israel.htm
Thank you for your support.
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PALESTINE, ISRAEL AND THE LAW
'Palestine Solidarity Campaign International Conference
Saturday 22nd October 2005...
'This major international conference, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will focus on the many dimensions of law and legality crucial to the achievement of justice for the Palestinian people. It will bring together experts in law, politics and resistance to present the issues for discussion. Since 1948, the UN has passed numerous resolutions on the plight of the Palestinians, including calling on Israel to withdraw from territories illegally occupied in 1967, opposing the building of illegal settlements and affirming the right of return and compensation for refugees displaced by Israel. With impunity, Israel continues to flout these resolutions and other international laws, such as the Geneva convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the recent ruling of the International Court of Justice calling for an end to/dismantling of the Apartheid wall on stolen land in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
'The conference will address Israel's illegal policies, including those regarding land confiscation, home demolition, refusal of refugee rights, settlements. It will look at how Palestinians have challenged the occupation and discuss strategies that can be used by the international community to exert pressure on Israel to abide by international law and ensure that the Palestinians finally achieve the right to self- determination.
'Speakers include:
Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi- Secretary , Palestinian National Initiative
Ronnie Kasrils, Minister for Intelligence, Government of South Africa (in a personal capacity)
Diana Buttu - Lawyer, and Communications Director to the Palestinian
Technical team
Dr Karma Nabulsi - research Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford University
Marwan Dalal, attorney with Adalah
Michel Abdul Massi QC
Professor Iain Scobbie, Professor of International Law, SOAS
Dr Nabeel Kassis, Birzeit University
Dr Oren Ben-Dor, University of Southampton
Lea Tsemel, Israeli Human Rights lawyer
Dr Nabeel Kassis, Birzeit University
Barry Camfield, TGWU
Danny Machover, UK Human Rights lawyer
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Geoffrey Bindman, UK Human Rights lawyer
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'The different sessions of the conference will be looking at the following: * The Reality of Occupation * Violations of international law * Consolidating Occupation - * Palestinian Legal Challenges - * Resisting Illegality * Political prisoners * The right of return of refugees * The policy of home demolitions * Implementation of the ICJ ruling on the Wall’
Now there’s impartiality for you.
Perhaps those tempted to attend the PSC's conference might care to consider the implications for human rights of an organisation that peddles the ancient prejudice of rich Jews working behind the scenes to manipulate the levers of power against the interests of truth.
