The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia’s leading civil and human rights organisation fighting anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms, has criticised a Channel Nine news report in which the killing in self-defence of a Palestinian terrorist who stabbed an Israeli soldier was described as an execution. The news report describes the terrorist as a “fellow”, includes a claim that the Israeli soldiers “summarily” shot him in an “extrajudicial execution”, and used the International Solidarity Movement as a news source.
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Dr. Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I am deeply disturbed by Channel Nine’s irresponsible coverage of the terrorist attack in Tel Rumeida which will be easily misinterpreted by viewers and which does a tremendous disservice to the truth. The misleading headline turns the Palestinian terrorist into the victim and the Israeli soldiers defending themselves from the attempted murder into stone cold killers engaged in an execution style act. This is a distortion of the facts that is detached from reality. Why can’t Channel Nine label the terrorist for what he is, when there is no hesitation to do so when it happens in another country? Strangely, the report also employs the affectionate term “fellow” to describe the attacker, conveying the fantasy that here was a ‘nice guy’ executed by the evil Israelis. Another serious failure by Channel Nine is the inclusion of a link from the International Solidarity movement, a fervent anti-Israel group who regularly engages in demonising Israel and which can hardly be described as an impartial and legitimate source. Needless to say, we call on Channel Nine to change the headline and correct the report, and to ensure that in the future its stories are fair and balanced and do not display such appalling inaccuracy, bias and shortcomings. ”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.