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Dispatches comments spark uproar

Comments on Channel Four's investigation into the 'influence' of the Israeli lobby has drawn concern from the CST.

November 16, 2009 11:13
Peter Oborne will present the Dispatches programme on Channel 4 which investigates the 'influence' of the Israeli lobby

ByJessica Elgot, Jessica Elgot

3 min read

Comments made over the Channel Four Dispatches investigation into the 'influence' of the Israeli lobby has drawn concern from the Community Security Trust.

The organisation expressed its concern over the language used in comments about the programme on the Channel 4 website, some of which suggested the programme would be about a shadowy and wealthy lobby bankrolling political parties in order to exert undue influence over UK policy towards Israel.

In a blog written by the CST, the organisation said this kind of language has a basis had been traditionally antisemitic.

“Our fear was that by emphasising the supposed hidden power and influence of the “pro-Israel lobby” over politicians and the media, and promising to expose “the wealthy individuals who help bankroll the lobbying”, Dispatches was unwittingly playing up to antisemitic stereotypes.