The BBC's stand on Gaza

January 25, 2009

It's always tricky being the odd one out.
Whether that means being the only Jew, the only black person or the only one to hold a particular point of view. Particularly if 'everyone else' holds that diametrically opposed view.
On the face of it, not screening the DEC campaign's video - ostensibly an appeal for funds to help the innocent victims in Gaza - seems hard to comprehend. After all, are they not simply doing 'good' and channeling aid to homeless, starving people?
I'm rarely (pleasantly) surprised by the BBC, but on this occasion I think they deserve credit for sticking to their guns.
It must have been a tough choice. All manner bleeding hearts, (even Tony Benn!) chiming in to be seen to be condemning the horrors of Gaza (aided by insane comments from a certain Mr. Kaufman).
Making parallels to other conflicts is, I think, dangerous. (Many have compared this to the 'Northern Ireland' conflict - though I'm sure in this forum it's not necessary to go further on that one.) Nonetheless this is a war - thus there are two sides. And to look only at the casualties of one side and ignore the mayhem created by rocket attacks in Israel seems oddly one-sided, no?
Of course, we all have sides and biases and loyalties.
And what I am saying is not truly objective - i am hardly likely to side with Hummus (that dish being more palatable than their other name), but surely good reporting is about giving as much of a balanced picture of an event as possible?
Where are the images of children killed in Southern Israel by qassam rockets? Where is the international outcry? The international aid?
I think it's assumed that Israel is rich enough and strong enough to withstand all of this. After all, "for every one Israeli killed, 20 Palestinians die".
Firing their rockets from schools and hospitals - for some reason - doesn't seem to resonate with the world's media.
The continued acceptance of this group, who's stated aim is the eradication of Israel - just simply beggars belief.

I, for one, shall be paying my licence fee with less grumpiness than usual this year!