Britain's Channel 4 exposes 'power' of pro-Israel lobby - HAARETZ

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Anti-fascist protestors outside BBC Television Centre in October in London. Getty Images

Last update - 14:15 19/11/2009 Britain's Channel 4 exposes 'power' of pro-Israel lobby By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel News  A television program purporting to expose the unknown power and influence Britain's pro-Israel lobby has triggered a wave of condemnation by British Jews, some of whom accused the report of stoking anti-Semitism. The report, Inside Britain's Israel Lobby, was aired on Monday evening by the British broadcaster Channel 4 on its flagship investigative program, Dispatches. The Community Security Trust, an anti-Semitism watchdog, issued a blistering attack on the program on its blog, which warned that the presenter's stern admonition that "there is no conspiracy" was a case of shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted.  Advertisement This was after, the CST said, "one hour of innuendo about 'pro-Israeli' moneybags controlling the Conservative and Labour Parties; 'pro-Israeli' intimidation of British media; premeditated 'pro-Israeli' abuse of anti-Semitism; and sinister music accompanying photos of 'pro-Israelis' blurred across Israeli and British flags." The co-vice chairman of Britain's Zionist Federation, Jonathan Hoffman, said the program employed the tropes of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. "What did the program say?" Hoffman wrote on the Web site CiF Watch. "Well there were the allegations about money of course - no conspiracy is complete without some filthy lucre and if there is an Israel connection - so much the better. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-42/episode-1 Inside Britain's Israel Lobby PAMPHLET RELATED LINKS VISIT THE DISPATCHES ARCHIVE Watch this episode now on 4oD Dispatches investigates one of the most powerful and influential political lobbies in Britain, which is working in support of the interests of the State of Israel. Despite wielding great influence among the highest realms of British politics and media, little is known about the individuals and groups which collectively are known as the pro-Israel lobby. Political commentator Peter Oborne sets out to establish who they are, how they are funded, how they work and what influence they have, from the key groups to the wealthy individuals who help bankroll the lobbying. He investigates how accountable, transparent and open to scrutiny the lobby is, particularly in regard to its funding and financial support of MPs. The pro-Israel lobby aims to shape the debate about Britain's relationship with Israel and future foreign policies relating to it. Oborne examines how the lobby operates from within parliament and the tactics it employs behind the scenes when engaging with print and broadcast media. WATCH NOW ON On TV FIRST SHOWN Date Time Channel Monday 16 November 2009 8pm Channel 4 LAST SHOWN Date Time Channel Monday 16 November 2009 8pm Channel 4 NEXT ON Date Time Channel Friday 20 November 3am Channel 4