An analysis of the identity of the 131 journalists claimed by Hamas to be killed by Israel revealed by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center that least 78 (more than 59%) were active in or affiliated with a terrorist organization. Among them were 13 prominent members of a terrorist organization, Fatah or the Palestinian Authority. Of them 13 were overtly terrorist operatives belonging to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. It is therefore reasonable to assume their coverage of the events was not objective.
- Of the
78 journalists identified as having organizational affiliation, 44
were identified with Hamas, five were identified as the operatives of
the military wing and the rest were employed by or represented Hamas
media. Nineteen were affiliated with PIJ, six of them actual PIJ
terrorist operatives. Others were associated with other Palestinian
factions/
- It is not the first time there have been
journalists who also had a military role in a terrorist organization,
covered operations and wars and worked to influence the battle for hearts
and minds, considered of utmost importance by the terrorist organizations. Sometimes, the journalists have
been embedded in the military operating on the ground, or members of the
propaganda outlets of various military wings. Theoretically, they are
immune as journalists during the performance of their duties. For example,
many journalists who previously covered operations in the Gaza Strip and
the return marches were identified as actively participating in the
events, but identified as journalists by PRESS vests. There were also
cases in which terrorists wore PRESS vests to carry out terrorist attacks,
knowing that the IDF does not attack media personnel.
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