Britannia Radio

June 15, 2011 The Wire Just Journalism Spokesperson exposé tops Israeli headlines Tues. 14 Jun. 2011 @ 16.09 - Michael Weiss' exposé of document alleging Syrian instigation of Nakba day border clashes makes headlines on Haaretz, Jerusalem Post and Ynet websites. Just Journalism Spokesperson Michael Weiss published the document indicating Syrian complicity in the 15 May border protests on his Telegraph blog today. At the time of writing, it is the top story on Haaretz and Ynet and has a high profile on the Jerusalem Post's website. Haaretz' 'Report: Document reveals Nakba Day clashes planned by Syria government' reports: 'Weiss, who is the spokesperson of Just Journalism, an organization that monitors coverage of Israel in British media, said that he was forwarded an official Syrian state document describing a meeting between Syria's chief of staff and chiefs of the Syrian military intelligence branches in the province located on the Israel-Syria border.' Read more>> Media Analysis Double standards in reporting of destruction of religious and cultural sites in Middle East The destruction of property of religious or cultural significance is an emotive issue wherever it takes place. Yet, in the Middle East, some cases receive more media attention than others. Recent destruction of Muslim places of worship by Arab regimes in Syria and Bahrain has attracted no media condemnation, in stark contrast with any hint of disrespect shown by Israel to buildings of significance to Muslims or Christians. Last week, The Guardian, The Independent, the BBC and The Daily Telegraph all carried articles reporting that yesterday, suspected settlers attempted to set fire to a mosque in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir. Destruction and desecration of mosques during Arab Spring Shia Mosques bulldozed in Bahrain Since the start of the Arab Spring demonstrations in Bahrain in February, it is thought that 27 Shia mosques have been razed by the Sunni authorities. These demolitions have generated no headlines in the British broadsheets or on the BBC News website, and only received minimal reference in news and comment on events in Bahrain. Read more>> BBC Focus Radio 4 reporter dismisses claims of cash offered to border protesters BBC Radio 4's 'From Our Own Correspondent' edition dismisses claim of money offered to demonstrators as Israeli-sourced and unsubstantiated. Last week, BBC Radio 4's 'From Our Own Correspondent' featured a report by Kevin Connolly in Israel, on the Naksa day border protests, which took place on Sunday 5 June, and during which a number of Syrian and Palestinian protesters were reportedly shot by Israeli soldiers. Connolly gives a first-hand account of the unrest, which saw protesters attempt to breach the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights over the course of several hours. Of particular note in Connolly's report is his outright dismissal of claims that protesters had been paid by government operatives to demonstrate along Israel's borders: '[T]here is [a] kind of weakness in the way that Israelis sometimes struggle to understand their enemies. They tend to assert, without offering proof to me at least, that protesters at such events are paid according to a kind of rate card, $50 if you turn up to a demonstration, $900 if you are shot and injured, $10,000 if you are killed. Someone who is prepared to risk their life for $50 is going to make a pretty desperate long-term enemy.' Read more>> The Wire Gaza medical supplies held up by Palestinian disunity, unreported in UK Tues. 14 Jun. 2011 @ 16.08 - British media ignores story highlighted by Palestinian news agencies and human rights organisations, as PA is accused of 'blackmail'. Last Thursday, Palestinian news source Ma'an reported on a looming crisis in Gaza, citing medical services spokesman Adham Abu Salmiya, who described how doctors have been forced to cancel surgeries: 'Warehouses have run out of over 178 types of medicine, the spokesman said, adding that over 190 types of medical equipment needed for surgery had either run out or were in short supply.' After noting that Salmiya had 'urged countries in the region to intervene urgently to avert the crisis in Gaza', the article continues to explain that the spokesman blamed the Palestinian Authority for withholding the relevant supplies: '[Salmiya] also called on the PA health ministry in Ramallah to send supplies to Gaza, and said patients should not be used as "blackmail" in political disputes. 'In the past, officials from the Hamas-led government in Gaza have often accused the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority of failing to meet its responsibilities to send medical supplies to the coastal enclave.' Read more>> The Wire Guardian coverage of Tel Aviv LGBT march ignores wider Middle East Mon. 6 Jun. 2011 @ 17.51 - Report on huge gay pride march in Israel contrasts Tel Aviv liberalism with Jerusalem conservatism while ignoring absence of LGBT rights in wider region. The Guardian's Harriet Sherwood reported on Friday from Tel Aviv's annual gay pride march, during which thousands of Israelis and tourists celebrated and paraded through the streets. 'Tel Aviv's Gay Pride parade draws thousands to the city', highlighted how the event characterised the city's open and tolerant attitude: 'On Friday, thousands of people poured on to Tel Aviv's Gordon beach at the end of the annual Gay Pride parade in celebration of sexual freedom, tolerance and their city's ambition to be the most gay-friendly place on Earth.' However, rather than contrast this spectacular display of LGBT inclusivity and acceptance with the dire state of affairs to be found in the wider Middle East, where sexual minorities are actively persecuted, Sherwood instead opts for an unfavourable comparison with other parts of Israel, citing Shai Doitsch, head of an Israeli gay-rights organisation: 'But there was still a need for campaigning in Israel, Doitsch said. "We're not in paradise yet," he explained. '"Jerusalem is a very sensitive place. We don't expect to have gay pride parades in Mea Sharim [an ultra-orthodox area of that city].' Read more>>