RIGHT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward conservative causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage conservative causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Right Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate the BESA Center as right-biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions that align with the Israeli right-wing government. We also rate them as mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency with funding and hyperpartisan, one-sided framing of issues.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT (6.4)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.3)
Country: Israel
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MODERATE FREEDOM
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA Center) is a right-leaning Israeli think tank founded in 1993 by Canadian Jewish leader Dr. Thomas O. Hecht. Named after Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, the Center is affiliated with the Department of Political Studies at Bar-Ilan University. It aims to influence Israeli and global defense policy through research on strategic affairs related to Israel’s national security, including extensive work with the Israeli government and military. BESA frequently partners with global institutes like RAND, SAIS, and NATO, and its scholars are widely cited in defense and mainstream publications.
Read our profile on Israeli media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
While the Center does not disclose its specific donors, it is formally affiliated with Bar-Ilan University, suggesting funding includes Israeli institutional and governmental support. The think tank conducts contract work for Israeli government agencies and NATO. No independent IRS-equivalent financial disclosures were located, as it is based in Israel.
Analysis / Bias
The BESA Center portrays itself as non-partisan, but its research and commentary demonstrate strong pro-Israel, nationalistic, and right-wing editorial bias. For example, in “The Gaza Terror Offensive”, the Center justifies Israel’s military operations with a deeply one-sided framing, heavily emphasizing Hamas terror while downplaying Israeli military consequences.
The article “Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis: Fake News” argues that humanitarian concerns in Gaza are a fabrication, citing favorable life expectancy statistics while blaming Hamas for all socio-economic conditions. This overlooks the broader international consensus on the humanitarian crisis, which suggests a selective use of data and questionable neutrality.
Moreover, the BESA Center frequently glorifies Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including articles such as “Israel’s Approach to Iran: The Netanyahu Revolution”, which praise his strategic thinking and global leadership.
The center regularly publishes ideologically driven content that frames Western liberalism, the UN, and left-leaning outlets as unreliable or malicious. The use of dismissive rhetoric, such as “myth-makers” and “so-called blockade,” further demonstrates editorial partisanship.
Failed Fact Checks
- No direct fact-checks were conducted by third-party organizations. However, the BESA Center promotes claims that diverge from mainstream reporting, including controversial assertions like the nonexistence of a blockade on Gaza and claims that humanitarian aid worsens conditions.
Overall, we rate the BESA Center as right-biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions that align with the Israeli right-wing government. We also rate them as mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency with funding and hyperpartisan, one-sided framing of issues. (D. Van Zandt 07/06/2025)
Source: https://besacenter.org/
Last Updated on July 6, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources