A Journalistic Fraud's Freudian Slip

By Barry Rubin

BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen is well known for his hatred and unfair reporting regarding Israel. So when he wrote an article for the BBC News website, Analysis: Bleak climate for Mid-East talks,' it wasn't surprising that it included the following passage:

"It has been an unusual and enjoyable [emphasis added] new experience to be able to look on as the Israelis argued with their most important ally. The fact that the dispute is over Jewish settlements is even better for the Palestinian."

Bowen has since said that he made an editing error and meant to say that it was "enjoyable" for the Palestinians. I believe him. But we all also know that he meant what he wrote, too.