Jerusalem, July 01: Israel has said it has barred senior officials from appearing on the BBC , alleging the British television and radio service demonizes the Jewish state and broadcasts programmes that "border on anti-semitism". "This decision was taken following the systematic attempt to demonize Israel and the broadcast of news reports bordering on anti-semitism", the head of the government press service, Daniel Seaman, said late yesterday. "No official, minister, or spokesman will appear on the BBC until further notice", he said. "But since we are a democratic country - contrary to what this channel`s news reports would have you believe - we will not refuse (the BBC ) access to press conferences at the prime minister`s (Ariel Sharon`s) office", he added.
Seaman`s office, which answers directly to the office of the prime minister, is responsible for delivering press authorisation to foreign journalists working in Israel.

The press official said that BBC`s reporters` press cards and work permits could nevertheless "take more time".

Seaman said the recent broadcast of a documentary on the Israeli nuclear programme, entitled "Israel`s secret weapon", was "the straw that broke the camel`s back".

"But we had already been presented (by the BBC ) before as a police and a criminal state - which gives fodder to those in Europe who question the very existence of the state of Israel", he said.

Bureau Report