BBC Arabic corrects inaccurate report on Karish gas field

A post by CAMERA Arabic.

After recently inflating the extent of the maritime border dispute between Lebanon and Israel, both Al Hurra and BBC Arabic have made corrections, bringing the disagreement between the two countries around the Israeli Karish gas field back down to its proper proportions.

Both media outlets had originally erroneously reported that Lebanon claims that all of Israel’s Karish gas field lies within disputed waters. BBC Arabic had reported that “Israel says that the rig it recently put in the Karish field is located within its exclusive economical zone, while Lebanon says the area is disputed […]” and “the territory disputed with Israel, which includes the Karish field.” (BBC Arabic, July 31starchived version)

Similarly, Al Hurra had erred: “Israel already works on developing a single drilling site, the Karish field, while Lebanon claims that it is within disputed territorial waters” (August 13tharchived version)

In fact, only the northern portion of the Karish field is in territory claimed by Lebanon to be “disputed,” and the rig itself is found entirely in the area that both Israel and Lebanon agree is outside Lebanon’s EEZ.

In response to communication from CAMERA Arabic, Alhurra corrected its news item on August 29th, and the BBC followed suit on August 31st. The corrected Al Hurra article now states: “Israel already is working on developing a single drilling site, the Karish field, while Lebanon claims that a part of it is within disputed territorial waters.” [emphasis added].

The amended BBC Arabic report now states: “Israel says that the rig it recently put in the Karish field is located within its exclusive economical zone, while Lebanon says a part of the field is located in a disputed area.” BBC Arabic adds: “the territory with Israel, which includes a part of the Karish field.” [emphasis added].

(All translations by CAMERA Arabic.)

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