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Just Journalism Update 4 August 2010 UNIFIL backs Israeli claim on location of border maintenance work Following yesterday's violent clash on the Israel-Lebanon border, in which an Israeli soldier, three Lebanese soldiers and one Lebanese journalist were killed, the media reported on the conflicting claims made by the two countries. Israel claimed its army engineers were operating in its territory when they came under fire, and had to defend themselves, while Lebanese authorities claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had crossed over the border, and that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) merely fired warning shots in the air before the IDF retaliated. Today, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed Israel's account, regarding which side of the border it had been conducting itself, saying Israel had operated 'south of the international borderline.' This is consistent with what deputy spokesperson for UNIFIL Andrea Tenenti toldJust Journalism Executive Director Michael Weiss yesterday in relation to Israel's 'technical fence' not always running along the Blue Line. He confirmed that there are stretches where both sides of the fence are well within Israel's territory. In addition to this development, Lebanon has admitted that its soldiers initiated the violence. According to 'Lebanon: We fired first at IDF unit near Israel border', published in Haaretz: 'Speaking with A-Nahar Wednesday, a Lebanese military spokesman admitted to IDF claims that the Lebanese fired first, adding however that it was their right "to defend Lebanon's sovereignty."' Proceeding the UNIFIL statement, AP amended the caption to its photo showing an Israeli crane reaching over the fence, adding, 'According to an Israeli military spokesman the tree was in Israeli territory, despite being on the Lebanese side of the fence, because the fence does not match the border in all places.' News articles published today by The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph acknowledge UNIFIL's latest statement. And while it might have been too early in today's news cycle for other outlets to do the same, a comment piece by Robert Fisk in today'sIndependent ('Israel-Lebanon tensions flare after skirmish leaves four dead') stands out for its stark confusion of basic facts and its dismissal of contradictory evidence that was known well before his piece went to press. To continue reading, click here. Guardian video ignores UNIFIL's findings Just after 12 noon, guardian.co.uk released a videocomplete with written commentary, summarising yesterday's events on the Israel-Lebanon border. Despite UNIFIL publicly endorsing this morning Israel's claim that its maintenance activities took place on the Israeli, not the Lebanese, side of the border, the first claim reads: 'The fighting broke out after Israeli soldiers tried to uproot a tree on the Lebanese side of the border' Guardian Middle East correspondent Harriet Sherwood admitted UNIFIL's position in 'Israel continues uprooting trees on Lebanon border after fatal clash,' published two hours earlier, so it is unclear why the inaccuracy persists elsewhere at The Guardian. For more analysis, click here. Media round-up, 4 August 2010 The Guardian: NEWS: 'Israeli colonel, three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist killed in border clash' - Harriet Sherwood Sherwood quotes the IDF statement claiming the Israelis were carrying out routine maintenance work, approved by UNIFIL, on their side of the border and attributing blame for the incident to the Lebanese army. The Lebanese version of events - that it began when Israelis were uprooting trees on the Lebanese side of the border - is also given. Sherwood quotes both the Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri, who called the incident 'a violation of Lebanese sovereignty' and president, Michael Suleiman, who promised to confront Israeli aggression 'whatever the sacrifice'. Sherwood includes quotes from Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, describing Israel's acts as 'criminal aggression' and the Israeli foreign ministry which indicated that they hold the Lebanese government responsible and warned of 'consequences' if there are further incidents. Sherwood then points out that an analyst from the Global Research in International Affairs Centre in Israel said that it was an unusual clash on the border that is unlikely to escalate. Towards the end of the article, Sherwood highlights Israel's claims that Hezbollah have undertaken a massive re-armament programme. NEWS: 'Israel continues uprooting trees on Lebanon border after fatal clash' -Harriet Sherwood An article reporting that Israel is continuing to cut down trees along the border the day after the clash. It quotes Ehud Barak, the Israeli defence minister, as saying 'if [Lebanese Armed Forces] disrupt, we will have to respond'. Sherwood outlines the conflicting claims on both sides as to how the incident started but reports that Lebanon has admitted to opening fire. There are quotes from UNIFIL saying that the tree was indeed in Israeli territory and from Lieutenant-Colonel Avital Leibovich of the IDF who suggests that the attack was an ambush possibly orchestrated by Hezbollah agents within the Lebanese Army. For the rest of the round up, click here. Donating to Just Journalism Just Journalism is a not-for-profit organization and relies entirely upon the generosity of our supporters. If you wish to make a donation, please contactdonate@justjournalism.com for more information.