‘He was putting forward his own views with his own choice of words, and, as with other commentators, the listener is free to make up their own mind on the validity of his arguments. The BBC’s advice to its own journalists would be to use plain and simple language, rather than make value judgements, but we cannot apply the same guidance to interviewees.

Mr White’s comments about Israel were a brief aside, along with other remarks about Northern Ireland, during the interview about Signor Berlusconi. In these circumstances, the presenter had to judge whether to divert the interview into a discussion about what Israel calls ‘targeted killing’ or his comments about Northern Ireland rather than concentrate on the matter in hand.’

‘Value judgements’? ‘Targeted killings’? Oh yes, and the presenter considered leaping to Israel’s defence but wisely decided not to get sidetracked. This is all so preposterous that I wonder if the BBC is running a little scared. It would be nice to think there is some point in keeping up the complaints.

Criticism of Israel these days has been nothing less than demonization of a whole country, its citizens and its identity. Much of what is being said, like White’s recent clumsily put throw-away comment, is untrue and is prejudice, which has been allowed to go unchecked. In other words much anti-Israel comment is now perceived as clear as day anti-semitism which is no longer taboo. Discussion and fair criticism becomes almost impossible, because the motives of those who make such statements are really not that interested in debate or democracy when it comes to israel. To that extent I can agree with your first comment:”This blog is sadly a reflection of the totaly (sic) negation of democracy when it comes to Israel.” But I must take issue with your last comment (”Do you not appreciate the irony of complaining Israel is branded as totalitarian then behaving a in a totally intellectually totalitarian way?”). The author of this blog is entitled to deconstruct the arguments raised against Israel and to challenge those who make statements when the motives are clearly not in pursuit of truth but to demonize and to denigrate. Those who engage in an israel bashing argument do so because it gives them a sense of self-importance. There is little concern for any of the parties involved nor do they usually have any interest in finding a real solution.

Is Robin Shepherd being “totalitarian”? I don’t think so. I think he cherishes democratic values, as I do, and so should you.

Do you not appreciate the irony of complaining Israel is branded as totalitarian then behaving a in a totally intellectually totalitarian way?