BBC pundit jailed for role in murder of Israeli settler

APalestinian jailed for his part in murdering an Israeli man has been used as a contributor by the BBC’s Arabic channel without his conviction being disclosed.

Ismat Mansour has been interviewed by BBC Arabic at least seven times in the first seven months of the war on Gaza, billed as a “Palestinian political analyst” and “author and researcher”.

But critics say BBC Arabic failed to point out to its audience that Mansour was sentenced to 22 years in jail following the murder of 30-year-old Haim Mizrahi and has since spoken of having “no regrets” over his role in the killing.

Mansour was among 26 Palestinian prisoners freed early from prison by Israel in August 2013, as part of a gesture to the Palestinian Authority in peace talks brokered by the US.

He had been jailed at 16 after helping two older teenagers stab Mr Mizrahi to death near the illegal West Bank settlement of Beit El in October 1993, a month after Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Accords. Mr Mizrahi’s wife was pregnant at the time.

Though Mansour denied doing the stabbing himself, an Israeli judge found that he held the Israeli down during the stabbing.

Mansour said on his release from prison: “I have no regrets. I was part of the struggle of my people.”

A year after his release, he told an Israeli interviewer: “That person [the victim] is a settler, he is on my land and it is not his place. I don’t feel sorry. Let’s say that today I would not have done the same — but I don’t regret what had happened either. I did something that is good for everyone. This promotes peace.”

The BBC admitted it should have provided “additional context” about Mansour for its viewers. However BBC Arabic maintains that its coverage meets BBC editorial standards and is balanced and accurate.

“Esmat Mansour is widely used as a commentator across media,” said a BBC spokesperson.“BBC News Arabic is committed to hearing from a range of voices and perspectives — and although at times when we have heard from Mr Mansour we have referenced his 1993 conviction, we recognise that, when appropriate, further details should be given to provide additional context for our listeners.”