Opinion
A taxi passes by in front of The New York Times head office, Feb. 7, 2013. Photo: Reuters / Carlo Allegri / File.
The topic of Israel and the Palestinians is notoriously contentious. A minor clash in Jerusalem has the potential to generate headlines around the world, stir up sentiment throughout the Middle East, and, in turn, lead to more fighting and even war.
That’s why it’s essential the media tell the story accurately. But news organizations repeatedly distort stories relating to the conflict.
Here are five ways news outlets continue to do so:
1. Blaming Israel for Palestinian violence
From the beginning of the latest escalation, Israel was routinely blamed for the decisions of Palestinian terrorists.
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Opinion
Israeli police officers walk during clashes with Palestinian protesters, as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan continues, in Jerusalem, April 24, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Coinciding with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the streets of Jerusalem have been plagued by increasingly violent Palestinian protests. Night after night, hundreds of Palestinians, some of them hurling fireworks, rocks, and petrol bombs, have clashed with Israeli police. The riots have left dozens of police officers injured, and several innocent Israeli civilians have been brutally attacked by Palestinian mobs.
Nevertheless, many news outlets only reported on the Jerusalem violence
after a widely condemned march was organized by a far-right, fringe Israeli group.
3:37 pm
Coinciding with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the streets of Jerusalem have for the past two weeks been plagued by increasingly violent Palestinian protests. Night after night, hundreds of Palestinians, some of them hurling fireworks, rocks, and petrol bombs, have clashed with Israeli police. The riots have left dozens of police officers injured, and several innocent Israeli civilians have been brutally attacked by Palestinian mobs.
Nevertheless, many news outlets only reported on the Jerusalem violence
after a widely condemned march was organized by a far-right, fringe Israeli group.
But beyond the “blame Israel” narrative, what was really behind the escalation in Jerusalem?