  By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon criticized French efforts to ban the militant group Hezbollah's television station, saying the channel may be anti-Israeli but it is not anti-Semitic. France's Council of State is expected to act later this month on a July 12 request by France's media watchdog, the CSA, to block broadcasts of Al-Manar TV through the Paris-based satellite operator Eutelsat. CSA was moved to action last December when CRIF, an umbrella group of French Jewish organizations, complained that Al-Manar had televised an anti-Semitic television series in France. The request comes at a time of increased tension between the governments of Israel and France, and what appears to be a rise in anti-Semitic attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) recently claimed that France is engulfed in "the wildest anti-Semitism" and urging Jews to leave.
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry defended Al-Manar on Friday, saying the station's programs "condemn the policies of Israeli governments and are not by any means racist or critical of the Jewish faith or people. " -- Right...so let me get this straight. You hate Israel, but you don't HATE Jews? You are anti-Zionist, but not anti-Semetic? Somehow, I find this very UNconvincing. I think Al-Manar TV station is one the worst propaganda machines in the world.
It's disgusting not only for it's content, as vile as it is, but for the sheer fact that the TV station is owned and operated by Hezbollah...a known terrorist organization. It would be inconceivable for France, as vile as it is, to even let this kind of garbage into their borders. Andrew B. 
