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Last update - 20:47 25/12/2008
Ahmadinejad Christmas address to U.K. viewers sparks angry row
By DPA
Tags: Ahmadinejad, Christmas, Queen 

An angry row erupted in Britain Thursday over plans by a British television station to broadcast a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "counterpoint" to the traditional Christmas Day message by Queen Elizabeth II.

The government of Prime Minister Gordon Brown criticized the decision by Channel 4, seen as a left-liberal station, to give the Iranian president a voice in the broadcast later Thursday.

"President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements," said a Foreign Office spokesman.
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"The British media are rightly free to make their own editorial choices, but this invitation will cause offense and bemusement not just at home but amongst friendly countries abroad," he added.

Meanwhile the monarch, in her traditional afternoon message broadcast on Christmas Day, addressed the economic crisis saying that Christmas 2008 was a "somber occasion" for many.

The queen, 82, called on fellow-citizens to lead "unselfish lives" and help others with their skills and financial prowess.

The decision to allow Ahmadinejad to deliver the alternative Christmas message, something Channel 4 has done for 15 years to provide a "light-hearted touch" to Christmas Day, also provoked anger in Israel, and among human rights and gay campaigners.

Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles, Ahmadinejad will say: "Jesus, the Son of Mary, is the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings, of the fight against tyranny, discrimination and injustice."

"If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would stand with the people in opposition to bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers," the text, published in advance, read.

Israel's ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, branded the Christmas message a "sick and twisted irony."

"In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows," he said.

The broadcast was a "scandal and a national embarrassment" which showed that Channel 4 had "lost its ethical way in the search for ratings and shock factor," said the ambassador.

Louise Ellman, a Labor member of parliament (MP) who is also chairwoman of the Labor Jewish Movement, also condemned Channel 4 for giving and "unchallenged platform to a dangerous fanatic who denies the holocaust while preparing for another and claims homosexuality does not exist while his regime hangs gay young men from cranes in the street."

"Who will deliver next year's alternative Christmas message?" she asked, suggesting that it could be someone like Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe.

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, of Liberal Judaism, said: "I have no trouble with Channel 4 dealing with difficult issues. The Queen's speech is so benign that it is worthwhile having something thought-provoking."

"But doing a sort of lucky dip to pick out a controversial character, then allowing him to make a lovey-dovey speech, that this character is being allowed to dress himself up as a kind of Father Christmas, that is problematic," said Goldstein.

It is not the first time the channel has courted controversy with its choice of speaker. In 2006, a fully-veiled British-born Muslim woman used the message to attack Labor minister Jack Straw for his criticism of the face veil earlier the same year.

But Channel 4's head of news and current affairs, Dorothy Byrne, defended the decision to broadcast the message.

"As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's views are enormously influential. As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view."

Related articles:
  • Ahmadinejad invited to 'counter' Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message
  • Tourists flock to Bethlehem as city basks in Christmas spotlight
  • Ahmadinejad: Israel at end of line, will soon fade away
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      1.   It will be interesting to see 21:05  |  Chris Linthwaite 25/12/08
      2.   How Did Islam Come to Iran? 21:08  |  Frankie Littlehammer 25/12/08
      3.   Hypocrite queen 21:29  |  Paul 25/12/08
      4.   "How did Islam come to Iran?" 21:33  |  Iranian ex-pat 25/12/08
      5.   #2 How did Christianity come to Africa and the Americas 21:34  |  Alan 25/12/08
      6.   #2 Frankie Littlehammer 22:40  |  Boycott 25/12/08
      7.   The golden age was no golden age for Jews and Christians - Alan 22:50  |  Jo 25/12/08
      8.   Ahmadinejad sent 50,000 Iranian boys to die in Iraqi mine fields 23:08  |  Rob 25/12/08
      9.   Rob you seem to be the only source for your statement 23:28  |  Labhras 25/12/08
      10.   Unsubstantiated comments 00:44  |  Victor 26/12/08
      11.   And The Diffrence Is ... 00:45  |  Frankie Littlehammer 26/12/08
      12.   U.K. looks Like Germany 1930`s 00:48  |  dp 26/12/08
      13.   Epater le bourgeois becoming criminal 01:13  |  Fortuna Benmayor 26/12/08
      14.   desensitisation 01:14  |  les 26/12/08
      15.   #5 Alan, about "golden age" 01:23  |  Bruce 26/12/08
      16.   Both speeches are ridiculous 01:42  |  Rov 26/12/08
      17.   The Sun Finally Sets On The British Empire 02:03  |  Jeff Northridge 26/12/08
      18.   would they have invited hitler? 02:05  |  Toby 26/12/08
      19.   Ahmadinejad Christmas address to U.K. viewers sparks angry row 02:41  |  Michael S. Jeffers 26/12/08
      20.   I have no evidence that Ahmadinejad ... 02:42  |  Edith 26/12/08
      21.   9,Labhras 02:53  |  Harry 26/12/08
      22.   key to heaven 03:21  |  yussef 26/12/08
      23.   It is hard for Edith to notice Antisemitism like the rape of Cong 04:40  |  Genuine Tosefta 26/12/08
      24.   #13 - Edith 04:48  |  MichaelF 26/12/08
      25.   So the Brits are angry? 04:50  |  MichaelF 26/12/08
      26.   And guess where the Bahai escaped to? 05:58  |  Dan 26/12/08
      27.   9 Lahbras Links re 50,000 dead boy martyrs/Ahmadinejad 06:23  |  Rob 26/12/08
      28.   Harry, maybe you better read your source? 06:37  |  BBSNews 26/12/08
      29.   28 BBS More re my post 07:50  |  Rob AA 26/12/08
      30.   BBS accusations are generally without any source 07:53  |  Rob 26/12/08
      31.   Edith 10:28  |  sharon 26/12/08
      32.   Michael S. Jeffers 10:52  |  sharon 26/12/08
      33.   Channel 4 `s `Christmas Special` 10:54  |  Sherlock Holmes 26/12/08
      34.   Reply to #12 UK and 1930 11:01  |  Joseph 26/12/08
      35.   Reply to # 3 Monarchy 11:06  |  Sherlock Holmes 26/12/08
      36.   Reply to #3 11:08  |  Joseph 26/12/08
      37.   Reply to #7 Golden Age? 11:12  |  Akiva 26/12/08
      38.   sherlock 11:27  |  sharon 26/12/08
      39.   #31 Sharon 14:57  |  Edith 26/12/08
      40.   #31 Sharon, second part 15:01  |  Edith 26/12/08
      41.   Rob, what "inconvenient" facts? 16:45  |  BBSNews 26/12/08
      42.   to Edith Legrand 19:35  |  Goldenberg 26/12/08
      43.   re: ahmadinejad and "alternative" viewpoints (3rd try) 23:10  |  eric 26/12/08
      44.   Hitler as Channel 4`s first choice... 23:44  |  John 26/12/08
      45.   re: ahmadinejad and "alternative" viewpoints (3rd try) 04:06  |  eric 27/12/08
      46.   Ch 4 & Ahmadinejad 19:37  |  The Teacher/Instruct 27/12/08
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