On March 12th the BBC News website’s ‘Middle East’ page published a report headlined “Yehuda Meshi-Zahav: Zaka founder and Israel Prize winner accused of assault”.
While one can debate the relevance of that particular article for the site’s international audiences who will be unfamiliar with the person and the organisation, its appearance highlights a broader pattern in BBC reporting on legal and/or criminal cases.
Since January 2020 visitors to the ‘Middle East’ page have seen twenty-one reports (including the above) relating either to legal cases in Israel or to cases not in Israel but involving Israeli citizens.
Ayia Napa: Foreign Office ‘concerned’ over Briton found guilty over rape claim
Ayia Napa Briton sentenced over false rape claim
Benjamin Netanyahu asks for immunity from prosecution
Israel releases two Syrian prisoners in ‘goodwill gesture’
Jerusalem rabbi arrested for ‘holding women in slavery’
Netanyahu indicted in court on corruption charges after dropping immunity bid
Naama Issachar: US-Israeli woman released from Russian prison
Israeli man charged with spying for Iran
Israeli convicted of West Bank arson attack that killed three Palestinians
Netanyahu trial: Israeli prime minister faces Jerusalem court
Malka Leifer: Rape-accused ex-principal fit for extradition to Australia 
Israeli billionaire denies DR Congo laundering claims
Bar Refaeli: Israel convicts model of tax evasion
Israel investigates alleged Eilat gang rape of teenager
Eilat rape allegations: Tel Aviv covers over Peeping Toms beach mural
Malka Leifer: Israel court approves extradition of sex abuse suspect to Australia
Beny Steinmetz: Mining tycoon in Swiss trial over Guinea deal
Malka Leifer: Israel extradites ex-principal accused of child sex abuse in Australia
Israel’s Netanyahu enters plea in court in corruption trial
March 2021:
Congo mining: US reimposes sanctions on Israeli tycoon
In the same period of time visitors to the BBC News website’s ‘Middle East’ page have seen just two reports (both relating to the same story) concerning legal cases in the areas under Palestinian Authority or Hamas control.
Samaa Abdulhadi: Activists call for release of ‘Palestinian techno queen’
March 2021:
Palestinian ‘Techno Queen’ Sama’ Abdulhadi faces court over shrine event
The fact that BBC audiences saw over ten times more coverage of legal matters involving Israelis than those involving Palestinians in the past 15 months once again highlights the BBC’s reluctance to inform its audiences about internal Palestinian affairs.
Related Articles:
REVIEWING BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE OF PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS IN 2019
REVIEWING BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE OF PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS IN 2020
