A very poor defence

The BBC have finally managed to respond to my complaint about the BBC's reporting of Palestinian reaction to the brutal murder of the Fogel family. Here's my original complaint from 18 April this year (almost seven months ago):

'Your news piece about the arrest of two Palestinians for the brutal murder of five members of the Fogel family includes this: 'The murders were greeted with revulsion in Israel and were condemned by Palestinian leaders as well. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called them "immoral and inhuman".' OK that's the Palestinian Authority, what about Hamas? Here's what Hamas said to its Arab speaking audience: 'Five Zionist usurpers were killed the morning of Saturday, 12 March 2011, in a knife-stabbing carried out by a Palestinian in the usurper (settlement) of Itamar east of the city of Nablus. Our correspondent in Nablus reported that a Palestinian mujahid was able to break into the usurper (settlement) of “Itamar” south of Nablus in the occupied (West) Bank, and stabbed five Zionist usurpers. Zionist media sources said that “A Palestinian broke into the usurper (settlement) between the hours of 9:30 – 11:00 PM, and killed five usurpers from one family while they were sleeping.” They confirmed that the perpetrator of the act was able to escape.' Doesn't sound like a condemnation to me, how about you? So why are the BBC misleading the British people? Or did you not know what Hamas said about the murder of the Fogel family? If the latter is the case then you do now so please report what Hamas have said.

And the BBC's considered response?

'Dear Sir,

We are very sorry to have taken so long to respond to your email regarding http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13109092.  Ideally, we should have reported Hamas' comments.  There was obviously a range of Palestinian reaction. In our defence, Mr Abbas is the Palestinian President and he governs in the area in which the murders took place.

Best regards,
Middle East desk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/handle.shtml'

Can you spot the mistake?