'[Jeremy Bowen's] return to Israel in the wake of the Arab spring provided an opportunity to address the concerns of Israelis, particularly in relation to the rise of Islamic extremism, and to discuss how democratic and liberal Arab states of the future might be more amenable to making peace. Instead, he portrays Israel as the intransigent obstacle in relation to both the Palestinians and its Arab neighbours, failing to describe the evidence of extreme hostility towards the Jewish state from both parties.' BBC Radio Four programme 'From Our Own Correspondent' on Saturday featured Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen discussing the implications of the Arab Spring for Israel, vis-a-vis its relations with its Arab neighbours. 'Arab Spring spells uncertainty for Israel', a transcript of the programme, presents Bowen's analysis of the current status of the Israeli-Arab conflict. The context for this focus is the apparent under-reporting of the issue in light of the developments elsewhere in the region: 'This year, the two sides have been as immersed as ever in their struggle. But most of the time, the world has not been watching. The main event has been elsewhere.' Thurs. 1 Sep. 2011 @15.38 Independent covers both sides of debate surrounding appearance of Israeli orchestra at BBC Proms, printing letter by pro-boycott activists as well as interview with conductor that details Israeli multiculturalism. In light of tonight's scheduled appearance at the BBC Proms of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), pro-Palestinian activists have been promoting a boycott of the event, including a picket outside the venue. Their opposition was explained in a letter published in The Independent that referenced Israel's alleged use of the arts as 'propaganda'. The broadsheet also published an interview with the conductor of the IPO that detailed Israel's multicultural society, in stark contrast to recent accusations of it having an inherently 'supremacist' Jewish character. The letter, published on Tuesday under the title 'Proms exploited for arts propaganda campaign', opens by criticising the 'deep involvement' of the IPO with the Israeli state, and especially with the Israeli army: 'This is the same state and army that impedes in every way it can the development of Palestinian culture, including the prevention of Palestinian musicians from travelling abroad to perform.' Thurs. 1 Sep. 2011 @ 12.42 - A leaked IDF document revealing Israeli plans to arm settlers has been widely reported by the British media, in contrast to the minimal coverage given to Monday's attack in Tel Aviv. An IDF document leaked to Haaretz has apparently revealed plans by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to train and arm settlers in the West Bank, in expectation of violent unrest by Palestinians following the bid for UN statehood recognition in September . The decision to arm and train settler groups has been widely reported in the British media, with The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent and the BBC News website all covering the story. This widespread reporting is in stark contrast to the attack in Tel Aviv on Monday, which was largely ignored by the British media. All of the coverage notes that the settlers are expected to be armed with non-lethal weapons such as stun grenades and tear gas. The Daily Telegraph gave the most emphasis to the issue of prior Palestinian violence, providing context for the provision of such equipment. It was the only outlet to mention Monday's Tel Aviv attack, and the only outlet to reference the Itamar killings earlier in the year: 'In March this year, five members of the Jewish Fogel family were killed while they slept in their home in the West Bank's Itamar settlement by two Palestinian teenagers from a neighbouring village.' Wed. 31 Aug. 2011 @ 13.36 - Jordanian King Abdullah II allegedly warned Palestinian president that UN bid for recognition of a Palestinian state could threaten 'right of return' for millions of refugees. The Jerusalem Post cites reports in the Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Madina that the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, has encouraged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas 'to reconsider the [UN] statehood bid': 'King Abdullah, after consulting with a team of international lawyers, explained to Abbas that declaring a state in Palestine would possibly result in the loss of the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees, according to the report. He therefore asked him to reconsider his plan to bring statehood to a vote at the United Nations on September 20.' Approximately half of the Hashemite Kingdom's population is of Palestinian origin. UNRWA estimates that '[m]ore than two million' registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, around 17 per cent (346,000) living in the country's ten refugee camps.
September 1, 2011 BBC Focus BBC Middle East editor on the relationship between Israel and the Arab spring
The Wire Indy covers both sides of Proms boycott debate
The Wire Israeli plan to arm settlers receives widespread coverage
The Wire King of Jordan warns recognition of Palestinian statehood could threaten 'right of return'
Thursday, 1 September 2011
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