The Board of Deputies of British Jews never sleeps Archived Message Posted by Raskolnikov on June 21, 2019, 6:42 am in their eternal quest to root out anything that could be considered critical of Israel...sorry that should read anti-semitic. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jun/20/bbc-to-consider-increasing-vetting-after-tory-leadership-debate This entire atrticle demonstrates how much power this lobby has; making a mountain out of an imaginary mole-hill. The BBC will consider “additional steps” in its vetting process for guests following a debate between Conservative leadership candidates. Media watchdog Ofcom received 31 complaints about Our Next Prime Minister, which featured questions from an imam who had made allegedly antisemitic comments online. A whole thirty-one complaints; I wonder how many of those were from the BDBJ themselves? The BBC has defended its vetting process, saying that such programmes are likely to attract politicised contributors and unified opinion on political broadcasts would be “odd”. However, further action may be considered in any similar shows following criticism of the Tory leadership debate which aired on Tuesday. We did nothing wrong but ok, we'll do exactly what you tell us. The choice of guests has drawn criticism from viewers over partisanship, and an imam who asked the contenders about Islamophobia. Abdullah Patel has been suspended from his mosque following the emergence of past tweets in which he said “every political figure on the Zionist’s payroll is scaring the world about Corbyn”. He also shared an image endorsing the relocation of Israel to the US as a way of solving the Israel/Palestine conflict. Ahhh now we get to it. First of all his comment about Corbyn is essentially true and in no way anti-semitic (unless you are the hysterical BDBJ). Secondly, he didn't make this comment on the program but in "past tweets". Thirdly, the "meme" he shared is again in no way anti-semitic and doesn't actually suggest relocating Israel to America (I'm sure everyone has seen the image in question). It is understood that complaints over the programme were largely concerned with the overall show, with fewer relating to the selection of guests who asked questions. The BBC has been further criticised for adding to the problem of antisemitism following the leadership debate. Buried down below the fold the actual truth of the matter. The majority of the Ofcom complaints were not related to this Imam but "The Board of Deputies of British Jews complains about something a guest tweeted years ago which was actually accurate" isn't such a compelling lead-in. The Board Of Deputies Of British Jews has raised concerned over the broadcaster’s use of language in reporting comments made by Patel on Our Next Prime Minister. A letter from the organisation to the BBC’s head of news, Fran Unsworth, has claimed the corporation’s use of the term “anti-Israel” rather than antisemitic in its coverage of the imam’s comments was “deeply problematic”. The letter calls for clearer use of language by the BBC. It reads: “We are deeply concerned by an apparent editorial decision across the BBC to term the tweet ‘anti-Israel’: on the BBC news website, on Wednesday’s BBC News at Ten and by two journalists on that night’s Newsnight. “They did so without mentioning the offensive content of the tweet. This is deeply problematic. “The struggle against antisemitism is hampered by legitimate concerns of the Jewish community being dismissed as mere political disagreements about Israel, and not recognised as actual antisemitism. For "deeply problematic" read "entirely accurate but not what we want to hear". An entire story/outrage construcuted over nothing. The OFCOM complaints referenced at the start of the story turn out to be mostly about the program itself and NOT about the Imam's "past tweets" at all but the BDBJ writes a letter to the BBC and it's headline news and all hands wringing. Truly pathetic. Message Thread: The Board of Deputies of British Jews never sleeps - Raskolnikov June 21, 2019, 6:42 am Re: The Board of Deputies of British Jews never sleeps - AlanG June 21, 2019, 11:58 am It is indeed, Alan, when even such an anti-racist as me finds such nasty thoughts drifting into - Rhisiart Gwilym June 21, 2019, 12:13 pm Re: It is indeed, Alan, when even such an anti-racist as me finds such nasty thoughts drifting into - Si June 21, 2019, 12:35 pm "It's enough to turn you into an anti-semite..." - Ken Waldron June 21, 2019, 4:40 pm I am Antisemiticus! NM - johnlilburne June 21, 2019, 10:41 pm   Searching