June 01, 2004

A Zionism Tsar at the BBC?

The BBC denies that their recent appointment to a post monitoring coverage of the Middle East is a sop to Israel or the Zionist movement. However, Malcolm Balen's arrival at the BBC was greeted warmly by the Zionist Jewish Chronicle and the BBC hasn't moved to correct the JC's enthusiasm. Now Ha'aretz (the Israeli daily) seems as pleased about Balen's appointment as the JC. They have published a potted recent history of BBC reports on Palestine with a bit of a puff piece for the man.

Having given Balen an easy ride' Ha'aretz then digs up the old chestnut of Kilroy-Silk being given the elbow by the BBC for his criticism of "Arab states". Here's a line from his critique of Arab states: "asylum seekers living happily in this country on social security". How do whole states seek asylum and live on social security? It looks suspiciously like old Kilroy-Silk was referring to Arabs in general.

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