BBC Olympics website fudges capitals of Israel, Palestine
Published July 22, 2012
JERUSALEM (JTA) — The BBC amended its Olympics web page on the capitals of Israel and Palestine following complaints from Israel.
Under the Israel entry, the BBC amended the site to say that the country’s “seat of government” is “Jerusalem, though most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv,” and amended the Palestine entry to say that its “Intended seat of government” is “East Jerusalem. Ramallah serves as administrative capital.”
The website at first had listed East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and listed no capital for Israel — the only country with no capital listed.
After complaints from the public and a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman Mark Regev, the BBC late last week amended its site.
“Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and accordingly we respectfully request the immediate rectification of this matter,” Regev wrote.
Palestine has been recognized as a member of the Olympic Council of Asia since 1986 and the International Olympic Committee since 1995.
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