Gary Fitleberg, February 19, 2005

Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Especially if published by the BBC.

The BBC apologized for running an unsubstantiated column about a Muslim soldier allegedly imprisoned by the Israeli army.

The apology concerned a contribution by the Rev. John Bell to Radio 4’s "Thought for the Day" about the soldier, who allegedly was conscripted into the Israeli army and then jailed for refusing to shoot unarmed Palestinian children, the Scotsman newspaper reported.

After receiving complaints from British Jews about the column -- listeners pointed out that most Arab Israelis are exempt from the army -- the BBC investigated and found no evidence to support the allegation. The reverend acknowledged factual errors and apologized for any offense he may have caused.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2005 Gary Fitleberg