On Monday, US diplomats criticized liberal media for echoing what they described as Hamas “propaganda” ahead of reported anti-Israel attacks in Boulder, Colorado.
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, accused corporate media of fostering an “anti-Semitic climate” in their reporting. This came shortly after individuals allegedly attacked pro-Israel demonstrators with makeshift flamethrowers during an event on Sunday. Earlier that day, news outlets like CNN and the Associated Press reported that Israeli forces had fatally shot a Palestinian at an aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip, referencing local sources that are now under scrutiny.
“Irresponsible reporting by major US news agencies feeds an anti-Semitic environment, which contributed to the deaths of two individuals last month in Washington,” Huckabee stated. He added that many media outlets failed to examine sources beyond Hamas and their associates when discussing the pro-Israel rally in Colorado, which was meant to support those affected in Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 31 Palestinians died in chaotic scenes near US-supported aid sites in Gaza.
“We urge media outlets to retract falsehoods and report with objectivity and professionalism, rather than inadvertently supporting terrorism by uncritically following Hamas narratives,” Huckabee remarked.
The Associated Press and CNN reported that Israeli forces began firing at crowds at the aid distribution site, resulting in over 20 deaths, based on eyewitness accounts and information from Hamas-controlled health authorities. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation mentioned that its aid efforts were conducted “without incidents,” suggesting they were being used to further Hamas’s narrative.
Early accounts from the New York Times indicated it was unclear who had instigated the violence. Later updates from CNN suggested that Israel could not verify claims of civilian casualties.
Israel contested the reports, stating their forces had only fired warning shots at approaching individuals. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released video evidence purportedly showing a masked person firing at civilians in Khan Yunis, contradicting claims of an unprovoked attack.
In recent months, there has been ongoing strife due to the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported delivering nearly 6 million meals just in the first week of its operations.
Neither CNN nor the New York Times responded to requests for comments, but the Associated Press defended their coverage, affirming the reliability of their sources, including eyewitnesses in Rafa, health officials, and statements from the Israeli military.
Authorities have arrested Mohamed Soliman, an undocumented immigrant from Egypt, for allegedly attacking a pro-Israel march in Boulder with homemade flamethrowers and Molotov cocktails. He is facing multiple charges, including federal hate crimes.
Footage from the incident circulating on social media shows Soliman making inflammatory comments while FBI investigations continue into his background.
The Boulder incident, which left eight people injured, follows prior violent events, including the shooting of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C., and other reported acts of violence related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Recently, misinformation was disseminated by UN officials regarding supposed fatalities in Gaza, which has drawn scrutiny for being unfounded.
