The complainant took issue with Mr Bowen’s analysis of the failure to achieve peace via a two-state solution over a period of years.  Mr Bowen put it that Western governments had advocated for such a solution, but had done little to forestall the building of Israeli settlements on land which the Palestinians considered part of their future state – making “two state solution” an empty slogan.  In the ECU’s view listeners would have understood the complexities of the situation, the blame various parties had assigned to one another over the relative lack of progress, Israel’s ongoing security concerns and the fact many aspects of this remained in bitter dispute.  Against this background Mr Bowen’s analysis was that of an expert in this field and based on experience of the situation and familiarity with the positions of the various parties.  The programme contained a wide range of perspectives on peace and the potential paths to it, ensuring due impartiality was maintained.

Not Upheld