Erstellt am: 5. 4. 2012 - 15:24 Uhr

Did it really "have to be said"?

Reality Check: Riots in Athens, Equal Pay Day, a controversial poem about Israel, an easing of sanctions on Myanmar and Romney tries to woo women.

Is Israel really a threat to world peace?

In Reality Check today we looked at poetry and politics, speaking to our security analyst Paul Rogers about Gunther Grass’ poem "Was gesagt werden muss" or What Needs to Be Said.

In his poem, published in two major European newspapers this week, the German Nobel literature laureate accuses Israel of being a threat to world peace. He claims that it is hypocritical that Israel hints at striking militarily to stop Iran getting a nuclear bomb when it is an open secret that Israel has a considerable nuclear arsenal of its own.

Rogers told us that it is Berlin's recent decision to sell Israel a submarine that angered Grass.

Israel might indeed seem hawkish. But isn’t that understandable since Iran a hostile neighbour, looks set, despite denials, to get a bomb? Especially since its president has been quoted saying that Israel must be wiped off the map!

In his poem, 84-year old Grass called for "unhindered and permanent control of Israel's nuclear capability and Iran's atomic facilities through an international body". His poem has led to accusations of anti-Semitism, and reminders of his WW2 service record in the Waffen-SS, but he says he couldn’t be cowed by history into staying silent about the future.

The nuclear Issue in Iran is a controversy that will surely rumble on. At Reality Check, we`ll keep you informed.

Riots in Athens

A tragedy in Athens led to more rioting on the Greek capital`s troubled streets. The spark was the suicide note of a 77 year old man. In the note the man blamed government cuts in pensions for his decision to kill himself. He said he was no longer abvle to survive.

The suicide rate in Greece used to be one of the lowest in Europe, but since the financial crisis it has become one of the highest. Mark Lowen reports from Athens on the unrest overnight and the plight facing many formerly well off Greeks.

Equal Pay Day

EU figures show that in Austria there is a 25 percent pay difference between men and women. One of the reasons for the difference is maternity leave and the fact that women often work part time. Maria Mesner is professor of contemporary history at the University of Vienna and studies gender issues. She told us that Austria is one of the most conservative societies in Europe when it comes to how people view the roles of men and women.

US eases sanctions on Burma

Following last weekends elections in Burma, the US says it will start to ease sanctions. The polls were far from perfect but they were seen as the first steps on the long road to greater freedom and democracy. The EU says it's considering easing some of its sanctions. The Burma Campaign explains the impact this will have, and whether now it a good time to start.

Romney and the gender gap

Traditionally, more women vote Democrat in the US, so which issues does Mitt Romney have to address win the female voter over to the republicans? Carroll Doherty of Pew Reseach explains the typical gender split in US politics and the ground that Romney has to make up if he is to unseat Barack Obama in November.

Hear the programme after the show via Podcast or at fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.