#278 (7/30) - "Olympic Organizers and BBC Disrespect Israel"

[FYI - My GENday is Sept. 19th. When is YOURS?]

[A PERSONAL NOTE: The following news item was not covered by any mainstream media outlet I know of. Please read about it and afterwards I hope that you'll add your name to the petition referred to in the article as I have.(By the way, Liberty Counsel is a Christian ministry headquartered in Central Florida but well-known nationally. You can find out more about them at www.libertycounsel.org)
ALSO, you might not be aware but appeals to include a moment of silence at the opening ceremonies for the Israelis and one German officer killed by the terrorists at the Munich Olympics 40 years ago was DENIED by the Olympic committee. I suppose it was more important not offending "Palestine" where the terrorists were from than honoriing the innocent victims of their actions! Incredible! - Stan]

The following is from Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, alert@libertyaction.org, 7/28/2012

The Olympics opening ceremonies took place last night – yet intensifying controversies involving Britain, Israel, and the Middle-East are taking center stage!

The British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) Olympic website intentionally omitted Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Israeli page of the BBC 2012 Olympic website refers to Jerusalem as the “Seat of government, though most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv.” Further, the website lists “East Jerusalem” as the “Intended seat of government” of “Palestine,” even though there is no nation in the world recognized as “Palestine.” [This makes it purely political that "Palestine" is represented as one of the nations at the Olympics!]

The BBC omission is blatant discrimination and the result of a wrongful political agenda that does not belong in the Olympic games and venues!

Mark Regev, Foreign Press and Public Affairs Advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the omission “discrimination” in a letter to Paul Danahar, BBC Middle East Bureau Chief. Here’s what Regev said…“Every country (and non-country) participating in the London 2012 games appears with its background information about the country, including mention of the capital city. Every country (and non-country), except Israel. Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and, accordingly, we respectfully request the immediate rectification of this matter.”

++Israel disrespected. Palestine praised!

Prior to Israel’s protest, the BBC website listed Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and clearly censored the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

To increase the intentional insult, the photos in sections identifying the nations of Iran, Syria, and Libya as Olympic participants depict peaceful cultural scenes, while the picture for Israel shows an Israeli soldier confronting a protestor!

Following several letters from Mr. Regev, the BBC modified the website to list Jerusalem as the “Seat of government” for Israel and Jerusalem as the “Intended seat of government” for “Palestine.” These changes still do not rise to the level of a courteous, decent treatment of Israel as a nation.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said…“We cannot accept those who deny our history, our sovereignty, and our right to determine our own capital… Irrespective of the BBC’s political agenda, Jerusalem is, was, and always will be the capital of Israel.”

Since King David made Jerusalem a capital city, the Holy City has played a key role in the government, culture, religion, and history of the Jewish nation. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city! The BBC should list this fact on its Olympics website, like it has done for every other country.

++The Olympics should transcend politics.
Liberty Counsel has developed a special “Stand with Israel” open letter that will be delivered to the BBC New York office; the International Olympic Committee (IOC) offices; the Israeli Embassy in Washington; and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C.

This outrageous discrimination against the sovereign state of Israel cannot be tolerated! Time is very limited for us to stand with Israel – and demand that this overt politicization of the Olympic games be rectified immediately. Click here to read and add your name to the open letter which will be delivered next week:http://www.libertyaction.org/349/petition.asp

++The Obama administration is fueling the tension.

In a press briefing Thursday, White House spokesman Jay Carney was asked what this administration considers to be the capital of Israel – Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Carney nervously laughed and evaded the question, never giving a forthright answer!
The Obama Press Secretary repeatedly stated, “Our position has not changed,” and “You know our position,” but refused to acknowledge Jerusalem is the capital of the nation of Israel.

Just 70 years after six million Jews were massacred in Europe, this week’s events in Washington and London have shown that the stench of anti-Semitism still lingers in the air.

Join Liberty Counsel in standing with Israel and putting the IOC, the BBC, and the U.S. State Department on notice that Americans will not stand for this anti-Semitic discrimination, while also notifying the Israeli Ambassador to the United States that millions of Americans deplore what is happening and resolutely stand with Israel.

[bold and italics emphasis mine]