The comprehensive report of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism in the UK has been published. The aims of the inquiry were:
- To consider evidence on the nature of contemporary anti-Semitism;
- To evaluate current efforts to confront it;
- To consider further measures that might usefully be introduced.
Specifically regarding the role of the media in the rise of anti-Semitism, the inquiry concluded:
The spread of antisemitism on the internet and in the media is a problem with wider ramifications for society. In the modern world of instant globalised news and interactive opinion, the media has a responsibility to present a fair and balanced picture of world events and not to use inciteful or irresponsible language, the effect of which is to increase tensions between Britain?s minority communities.
The report states that a "legitimate opinion on the political decisions of the Israeli state may be expressed in an antisemitic manner, even if its author did not intend it to be, if it uses phrases and imagery which tap into antisemitic discourse...."....
HonestReporting UK wishes to state clearly its belief that rational criticism of Israel is perfectly legitimate and we take issue with those who charge that pointing out anti-Semitism in the media, whether intentional or not, is a means to silence debate on Israel's policies or actions.
The report concludes:
that a discussion needs to take place within the media on the impact of language and imagery in current discourse on Judaism, anti-Zionism and Israel and we call upon them to show sensitivity and balance in their reporting of international events and recognise that the way in which they report the news has significant consequences on the interaction between communities in Britain.
.... Melanie Phillips, reacting to the report, states that the "media in Britain bear a heavy responsibility for perpetrating these libels and thus creating hatred of both the Jewish state and the Jews." Referring to the "Kosher Conspiracy" front cover, Phillips takes issue with the report's analysis, arguing that: this does not imply a decline in awareness of a Jewish racial stereotype so much as a belief in that Jewish racial stereotype. The Statesman ran the image of the Star of David impaling a UK Union flag because it perfectly expressed its view that there might be a Jewish conspiracy against British interests. The media use the iconography of classical antisemitism because it fits their prejudices.
HonestReporting UK recommends that subscribers read the Parliamentary Inquiry's report in full to examine the issue of anti-Semitism in Britain today......
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