Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday criticized mainstream Western media for working with Hamas-embedded photojournalists – calling them “complicit in crimes against humanity” – while CNN formally cut ties with a freelancer who was photographed receiving a kiss. of the leader of the terrorist group.
Netanhayu’s office tweeted Thursday that “sees with utmost seriousness that photojournalists working with the international media banded together to cover the brutal acts of murder perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
“These journalists were complicit in crimes against humanity; “Their actions were contrary to professional ethics,” the leader said, demanding that the media that helps employ them “take immediate action.”
The anger followed an explosive investigation by media watchdog Honest Reporting into journalists who were there to document the October 7 surprise attack that killed more than 1,400 people and took more than 240 hostage.
During the evening, Israel’s Minister of Communications, Dr. Shlomo Karhi issued a scathing letter to the media named in the investigation: Reuters, The Associated Press, CNN and The New York Times.
Hassan Eslaiah posted a video on October 7 showing the looting of an Israeli tank. AP/CNN photographer Hassan Eslaiah Hassan Eslaiah with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in an undated photo. Hassan Eslaiah
“The seriousness of the situation demands a rapid and comprehensive response. Now is the time for individuals, journalists, institutions, unions and organizations around the world to make a clear decision,” he wrote in the letter, which he shared on X.
“We must decide whether we are on the side of life and good and on the side of depraved terrorism, inhumanity and evil.”
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The indictments released Wednesday night accused a handful of photojournalists of being too close to the terrorist group, suggesting that was the reason they were there during the Oct. 7 attack that took Israel by surprise. Many were seen without press identification at the time.
Benny Gantz, member of Israel’s war cabinet, he said that “The journalists who knew about the massacre, who remained silent and took photographs” were “no different from the terrorists.”
CNN was the first to cut ties with one of those identified, even as it defended its work for them.
Freelancer Hassan Eslaiah was even photographed once smiling while receiving a kiss on the cheek from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who is now known as the “Butcher of Khan Younis.”
Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian (center) from Kibbutz Kfar Azza to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7, 2023. AP Palestinians celebrate with a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis.AP
“We are aware of the article and photograph about Hassan Eslaiah, a freelance photojournalist who has worked with several international and Israeli media outlets,” CNN told YnetNews early Thursday morning.
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“While at this time we have found no reason to doubt the journalistic accuracy of the work he has performed for us, we have decided to suspend all ties with him.”
Eslaiah, a freelancer who also worked for the AP, shared since-deleted tweets about the attack that brought him to the scene of the Hamas raid on Kibbutz Kfar Azza, and did not appear to be wearing a press vest or helmet, the report alleges. .
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Honest Reporting’s screenshots of Eslaiah’s tweets include a photo of the photographer in front of a burning tank along with the caption “Live from inside the Gaza Strip settlements.”
Another photo of the tank on a dusty road outside Khan Younis later appeared on the AP website with credit to Eslaiah, according to Honest Reporting.
The watchdog later updated its initial report with allegedly resurfaced images of Eslaiah with the tank on fire.
“In the video above, Eslaiah says in Arabic: ‘Everyone inside this tank was kidnapped, everyone inside the tank was kidnapped recently by the al-Qassam Brigades. [Hamas’ armed wing]as we have seen with our own eyes,’” Honest Reporting stated.
In addition to Eslaiah, Honest Reporting accused Yousef Masoud, Ali Mahmud and Hatem Ali of being inside the Hamas attack at the time their work was shared in the AP photo credits.
Masoud’s work has also been linked to The New York Times, Honest Reporting said.
The outlet also named photojournalists Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa and Yasser Qudih, whose work was published by Reuters “on the border just in time for the Hamas infiltration.”
Abu Mustafa’s gruesome image of an Israeli soldier’s body being lynched was later named in one of the “Images of the Day” cables.
Hassan Eslaiah shared a photo of Hamas entering Kibbutz Kfar Azza on October 7.AP
The AP distanced itself from the allegations in a statement issued Thursday.
“The Associated Press was not aware of the October 7 attacks before they occurred. The first photographs that AP received from any independent professional show that they were taken more than an hour after the attacks began,” the statement read.
“There were no AP personnel at the border at the time of the attacks, nor did any AP personnel cross the border at any time. We no longer work with Hassan Eslaiah, who had occasionally freelanced for AP and other international news organizations in Gaza.
אם היו עיתונאים שידעו על הטבח, ששתקו וצילמו בזמן שילדים נטבחו – הם א ינם שונים מהמחבלים ודינם חד הוא.
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 9, 2023
“AP uses images taken by freelancers around the world. When we accept independent photographs, we take great steps to verify the authenticity of the images and that they show what they are intended to show.”
Reuters also denied any prior knowledge of the attack.
“We are aware of a report by HonestReporting and allegations made against two freelance photographers who contributed to Reuters’ coverage of the October 7 attack,” the wire’s statement said.
מחבלים בתחפושת של עיתונאים? “” תתף, תמך או שמר על קשר של שתיקה ואיפשר את הטבח בעוטף, דינו כמו כל מחב לבעזה.@CNN @Rueters @The New York City Times @AP pic.twitter.com/WQ3kq3dTg1
— 🇮🇱שלמה קרעי – Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) November 9, 2023
“Reuters categorically denies that it had prior knowledge of the attack or that we recruited journalists into Hamas on October 7. Reuters acquired photographs from two Gaza-based freelance photographers who were at the border on the morning of October 7, with whom it did. Not have a previous relationship.
“Reuters staff journalists were not on the ground at the locations mentioned in the HonestReporting article.”
When asked how much the agency paid its freelancers for the photographs it published, Reuters told The Post that it “does not discuss financial arrangements” as a “matter of policy.”
The New York Times finally responded to the Post’s request for comment on the allegations.
“The allegation that anyone at The New York Times had prior knowledge of the Hamas attacks or accompanied Hamas terrorists during the attacks is false and outrageous,” a spokesperson for the outlet said.
“It is reckless to make such accusations, putting our journalists in Israel and Gaza at risk. “The Times has extensively covered the October 7 attacks and the war with fairness, impartiality, and a deep understanding of the complexities of the conflict,” the complaint continues.
“The advocacy group Honest Reporting has made vague accusations about several freelance photojournalists working in Gaza, including Yousef Masoud. Although Yousef was not working for The Times on the day of the attack, he has since done important work for us.
“There is no evidence of Honest Reporting’s insinuations. Our review of his work shows that he was doing what photojournalists always do during major news events: documenting the tragedy as it unfolded.”
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn