It's all too easy to attack the BBC's coverage of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. I don't deny that its reporters have a tendency to dwell overlong on Israel's bombing of Lebanon, without focusing sufficiently on the barbaric tactics of the Hizbullah.
The trouble is that many of those who attack the Beeb for bias against Israel don't even watch BBC News in the ordinary way. BBC reporters such as Fergal Keane and Jim Muir have asked searching questions about Israel's tactics in Lebanon, but the Beeb has asked similar questions about US and British policy in Iraq. In fact, those of us with good memories of the 1980s will remember how Tory Party Chairman Norman Tebbit hit out at the BBC's Kate Adie for her coverage of the American bombings in Libya, in 1986.
The problem with many who attack the BBC for its Anti-Israel bias, is that they look too much like 'single-issue fanatics'. They would be more effective if they attacked it for its general flaws - the best example of this is the BBC's inability to use the word "terrorism" - whether it is carried out in Israel or India.
When the BBC does report in Israel's favour, the Arab side complains. Well, let's give the BBC credit, for a change. About a week ago, their flagship news programme, Panorama, broadcasted an excellent expose of the British-based Islamic charity Interpal, and its covert efforts to fund the Hamas. In fact, the programme is far more effective and credible than organizations such as Honest Reporting in highlighting the sinister Jihadi nature of the Hamas.
You can watch the programme online, and I urge you to do so while you still can.
