BBC: put Israel's denials alongside its officials' words

Newsnight supplied Israel's denial when Bernie Sanders called its government extremist. Ask the BBC to explain why it did not test that denial against officials' own words.

Bernie Sanders interrupted by Victoria Derbyshire to come to Israel's defence on 4 November

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About this campaign

On 4 November, Bernie Sanders criticised US military aid to Israel's extremist government on Newsnight. Victoria Derbyshire replied: "And the Israeli government would deny that they are extremists."

Israel's officials have also said things that make the description worth examining. Yoav Gallant used dehumanising language while announcing the siege of Gaza. Bezalel Smotrich described starving two million civilians until hostages were returned as potentially justified and moral, while acknowledging that the world would not allow it.

The BBC chose to put a denial into this exchange. It could also have put the evidence before its audience. This campaign asks the BBC to explain that editorial choice and apply consistent scrutiny when presenters supply Israeli denials.