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More Than 10 Journalists Were Removed After We Exposed Anti-Israel Bias, But There Are Too Many More Out There
In early July, when CNN fired Abdel Qader Sabbah due to his Hamas ties, he became the 11th antisemitic, Hitler- or Hamas-praising journalist reassigned, suspended, or fired, thanks to the work of HonestReporting in less than two years.
Because Soliman Hijjy of The New York Times was fired for praising Hitler in August 2022, outrageously rehired after October 7, 2023, and fired again shortly thereafter due to HonestReporting, we can count them as 12 biased “journalists” that have been fired.
But why does it matter?
Sabbah came to our attention for his article on the “famine” in Gaza. Among the many misrepresentations and lies he penned were:
Israel continues its siege on Gaza, preventing aid groups getting enough food into the enclave…
(Note: There is no siege on Gaza. Israel is not preventing aid, and international groups have actually recorded an increase in aid getting into Gaza).
…southern Gaza could soon see the same “catastrophic levels of hunger” recorded previously in the north…
(Note: The report he’s referring to here was corrected days before he published. There never were “catastrophic levels of hunger” in the north. There was a miscounting of how much aid was actually getting into Gaza.)
Israeli attacks in Gaza have since killed 37,658 Palestinians and injured another 86,237…
(Note: These numbers are given as fact, without explaining that they do not distinguish between combatant and civilian. They are inflated based on unconfirmed media reports based on claims by the Hamas terror organization, without corresponding names or even bodies to validate them.)
In short, the platform afforded to Abdel Qader Sabbah by CNN allowed him legitimacy to promote Hamas propaganda over fact.
And, it was entirely avoidable. Sabbah didn’t hide his affiliation with Hamas leaders. He bragged about it. He posted guidelines for how Palestinians could best protect the “mujahideen” who were firing rockets at Israeli cities.
CNN took swift action when they learned of Sabbah’s history, but CNN never should have hired him in the first place. Especially after being put on notice by 14 states attorneys general that “willful blindness” could not be an excuse for hiring those with terrorist connections.
That’s why we are reaching out to those attorneys general. Because this latest example is not an isolated case. Nor is it just a dozen reporters. Hamas is so embedded in Gazan society that it is almost impossible to find an independent Palestinian journalist who does not owe their livelihood to the terrorists who have controlled Gaza since 2007.
It’s time for these outlets to be held accountable for their shameful hiring practices, and the impact that has on their stated allegiance to the truth, and Jewish communities across the globe.
Jacki Alexander is the CEO of HonestReporting, and Gil Hoffman is the Executive Director and Executive Editor.
The post More Than 10 Journalists Were Removed After We Exposed Anti-Israel Bias, But There Are Too Many More Out There first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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US Reportedly Shares Intelligence with New Syrian Leadership to Counter ISIS Threats
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, waits to welcome the senior Ukrainian delegation led by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, after the ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 30, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
i24 News – The United States has begun sharing classified intelligence with Syria’s new leadership, led by Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group formerly designated as a terrorist organization, reports the Washington Post.
This unexpected collaboration comes in the wake of HTS overthrowing the Assad regime last month and reflects heightened US concerns about a potential resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS).
According to sources, US intelligence recently helped thwart a planned ISIS attack on a prominent Shiite shrine near Damascus.
Despite this cooperation, US officials stress that the intelligence-sharing arrangement does not signify full support for HTS, which has a controversial history of extremism.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously known by his militant alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has made efforts to project a more moderate image, pledging to protect Syria’s religious minorities and stabilize the country.
However, skepticism remains about HTS’s ability to govern effectively and sustain efforts against ISIS.
The Biden administration, before leaving office, maintained HTS’s terrorist designation while easing sanctions on Syria to facilitate humanitarian aid. As the new US administration under President Donald Trump takes shape, questions loom about the future of American involvement in Syria and the ongoing military presence aimed at preventing an ISIS comeback.
The post US Reportedly Shares Intelligence with New Syrian Leadership to Counter ISIS Threats first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Hostages Missing from Hamas’ Release List
A birthday cake for Kfir Bibas, who is a hostage in Hamas captivity. Thursday, January 18, 2024. (Photo: Debbie Weiss)
i24 News – The second phase of hostage releases between Israel and Hamas has sparked deep frustration and grief among the families of those still held captive.
Two hostages—Arbel Yahud and Agam Berger—were notably excluded from the list of those to be freed on Saturday, despite earlier agreements prioritizing the return of civilians.
Arbel Yahud, 29, and Agam Berger, 20, both captives since the October 7 attack, were not included in the list of four hostages expected to be released.
Yahud, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was taken along with her partner, Ariel Cunio, whose family was freed in November. Yahud’s brother, Dolev, was later found dead in June after he was killed while trying to aid the wounded. Agam Berger, from Holon, was captured while stationed at Nahal Oz. Her family identified her in a video released by Hamas, showing her in pajamas being taken away in a vehicle after she called her father to alert him of the gunfire.
The omission of these two hostages has led to heightened concerns and calls for action from Israeli authorities, who are now exerting pressure on Hamas and mediators to honor the terms of the release agreement. Israeli officials reaffirmed their commitment to continue with the broader agreement, but warned that the failure to meet the agreed terms could harm future releases.
Adding to the grief, the Bibas family expressed their devastation when they learned that Shiri Bibas and her children, who were abducted from their Nir Oz home on October 7, were also absent from the second release list. In a heartfelt message shared on Saturday, the Bibas family shared their anguish: “Even though we were prepared for it, we were hoping to see Shiri and the children on the list that was supposed to be the civilian list.” The family voiced concerns over their loved one’s safety and questioned why, despite grave fears for their lives, their relatives were not included among the civilians due to be returned.
The Bibas family’s message emphasized their belief that the public must continue to demand answers, adding, “Thank you, dear supporters, for not giving up, for continuing to pray, to hope and to demand answers.
The post Hostages Missing from Hamas’ Release List first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Naama Levi, and Daniela Gilboa Return to Israel After 477 Days of Captivity
A combination picture shows Israeli hostages Karina Ariev, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, and Daniela Gilboa, soldiers who were seized from their army base in southern Israel during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in these undated handout pictures. Photo: Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/Handout via REUTERS
i24 News – After 477 harrowing days in captivity, four young Israeli women—Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Naama Levi, and Daniela Gilboa—have finally returned home.
The release took place Saturday morning in Gaza’s Palestine Square, under a carefully staged scene orchestrated by Hamas.
The four women, who served in a military observation unit in Nahal Oz, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Before their release, they were made to wear uniforms provided by Hamas and were paraded on a platform in front of a crowd of activists. Forced to smile and wave, the women endured the ordeal under the watchful eyes of Hamas fighters.
Once the formalities concluded, the women walked to waiting ICRC vehicles, accompanied by representatives of the organization. Upon reaching Israeli forces, IDF medical teams immediately conducted examinations. At the meeting point, the first female officers who greeted them informed the women that their families were watching live. Overcome with emotion, the former hostages smiled at the cameras, sending heartfelt gestures to their loved ones.
Footage later released by the IDF captured a poignant moment: the four women removing the uniforms given to them by Hamas and embracing Israeli officers. These emotional scenes underscored the end of a long and grueling chapter in their lives.
The women were transported to the Reim reception center, where their families eagerly awaited them. After 477 days of separation, the reunions were deeply moving, marking a moment of relief and joy.
However, the release was not without complications. A fifth military observer, Agam Berger, remains in captivity, and Hamas failed to uphold its agreement to release civilian hostage Arbel Yahud, who was originally included in the liberation group. The breach of terms has drawn widespread condemnation, intensifying efforts to secure the release of those who remain captive.
This momentous event brings a mix of celebration and determination, as Israel continues to work tirelessly for the freedom of all hostages still held in Gaza.
The post Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Naama Levi, and Daniela Gilboa Return to Israel After 477 Days of Captivity first appeared on Algemeiner.com.