Predicted Bias on Brazil's 'Palestine' Recognition

[Teddy Bear]

Normally on this site we report on perceived bias already committed by the BBC. Sometimes, because we recognize their stance so easily, we can predict how they will report an item, even before they have.

In this instance it relates to Brazil, and now Argentina, both formally recognizing a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.

Robin Shepherd outlines some of the factors involved in this move here and here, and there already has been an article at The Telegraph reporting Brazil, however so far nothing at the BBC website on either of them.

We should understand the political motivations behind these decisions, not only to know how to view the countries concerned, but to know why most of the free world haven't gone down the same route. Since I know the same political considerations used by Brazil, Argentina, and whoever else is to come, are not too dissimilar to that shared by the BBC, it now presents a quandary for the BBC.

Without a doubt they would want to urge us in the UK as well as the entire world to follow Brazil's example, carrying the lantern for them. But they are somewhat 'tied' because of our existing government policies concerning this. So they have to find a way to merge. This dynamic will undoubtedly form the context that they will report this news, and I'll run their articles as they eventually come through to show it.

What's the bet that BBC editors are discussing this very issue right now, which is why this news is 'held-up' somewhat.

[Teddy Bear]

Well it took them till 5:30pm today to finally run an article on the subject, and they do it in a manner that would imply they had already done so, though no previous one exists. They do state as an aside that Brazil already had recognized Palestine on Friday, which begs the question why have they waited till Tuesday to report it. The implications of these South American states decisions have huge consequences, that I'm sure the BBC are not blind to.

They make the statement Talks between the Israelis and Palestinians ground to a halt in September, when the United States and the Palestinian Authority failed to persuade Israel to extend a moratorium on new housing in the West Bank, not including East Jerusalem, which puts all the blame on the Israelis in typical BBC style.

Israel ire as Argentina and Brazil recognise Palestine

Israel has reacted angrily to Argentina's recognition of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders.

Monday's move by Argentina comes days after a similar step by South American neighbour Brazil.

The Argentinian foreign ministry said recognition was in line with the Palestinians' right to build an independent state.

More than 100 states around the world recognise Palestine, their mission at the United Nations says.

"The time has come to recognise Palestine as a free and independent state," Foreign Minister Hector Timerman said, adding that Argentina was "frustrated" that peace talks had stalled.

Brazil recognised Palestine on Friday, and Uruguay said it would do the same next year. Costa Rica, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela have already done so.

'No contribution'
But Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said the moves were irresponsible.

"They never made any contribution to [the peace process]... and now they're making a decision that is completely contrary to everything that has been agreed so far," he said.

Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath welcomed the move.

"We don't say that such recognitions immediately end Israeli occupation, but it gives us a push forward and helps getting more recognition," he said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.

Talks between the Israelis and Palestinians ground to a halt in September, when the United States and the Palestinian Authority failed to persuade Israel to extend a moratorium on new housing in the West Bank, not including East Jerusalem.

Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 war. It withdrew its troops from Gaza in 2005.

The Palestinians have been making behind-the-scenes diplomatic moves to secure unilateral recognition since the talks stalled.

[Teddy Bear]

The Plot Thickens! (hat-tip Another Joshua)

It would appear that just a few weeks ago on November 24th Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil joins Argentina in criticizing UK’s “unilateral actions”.
There's also a related story reported by the BBC slightly before that.

The Brazilian government questioned UK’s “unilateral actions” regarding the (Falklands) Malvinas Islands and called for the sovereignty “long standing dispute” to reach “as soon as possible a solution”.

Added to that is this one from an earlier date over a year ago, but shows what might be going on in relation to the current South American recognition of Palestine.

Mrs. Kirchner approach to Malvinas issue infuriates Jewish community

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner strong lobbying for support from the Arab League in its dispute with Britain over the Falkland Islands is proving to be a short lived pyrrhic victory since she involved Argentina in the Palestine question and infuriated the Jewish community.


For me it's 'the writing on the wall'. It shows how Argentina has not given up claim to the Falklands, and is using whatever outside influence it can to further the possibility of getting it back, even if it means granting Palestinian statehood. It's going to be interesting to see how things develop here, especially as pressure is put on the UK, which you can count on. Also it's going to put the BBC between a 'rock and a hard place' as to who they side with.

Let the games begin


Just as an aside - here's how the BBC have relegated this story in what they show as the 8 most important stories covering the Mid-East at this time.

• Mid-East talks in crisis - Abbas - 54 minutes ago
  Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says Middle East peace talks are in crisis following Israel's refusal to stop building in settlements.
  
• Saudis 'seek anti-Hezbollah force' - 10 hours ago
  Saudi Arabia proposed an Arab-led military force to destroy Hezbollah, a leaked US diplomatic cable suggests.
  
• Blair recalled for Iraq questions - 1 hour ago
  Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is to be recalled to give evidence a second time to the Iraq Inquiry.
  
• Scotland rejects new Megrahi claim - 3 hours ago
  The Scottish government was neither threatened nor offered "treats" to free the Lockerbie bomber from jail, First Minister Alex Salmond says.
  
• Israeli PM raps rabbis' warning - 1 hour ago
  Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised rabbis who issued a statement saying it is a "sin" for Jews to rent or sell property to non-Jews.
  
• Fresh Iran nuclear talks agreed - 22 hours ago
  Two days of talks on Iran's disputed nuclear programme end in Geneva, with a new round agreed for January in Istanbul.
  
• Israel rejects shark plot claims - 1 day ago
  Israel dismisses Egyptian claims that shark attacks in the Red Sea could have been caused by its foreign intelligence agency, Mossad.
  
• Israel anger at S America moves - 23 hours ago
  Israel reacts angrily as Argentina joins Brazil in recognising a Palestinian state within 1967 borders.