Скачать или смотреть There was no 'Hamas camera' - just complicity in Israel's genocide | David Hearst | MEE Opinion

David Hearst, editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye, says that by echoing Nazi-era propaganda, Israel aims to secure public support for its slaughter in Gaza by erasing Palestinian coverage.

Five journalists were killed in Israel’s double-tap strike on Nasser hospital: Middle East Eye’s Mohamed Salama and Ahmed Abu Aziz, Reuters photojournalist Hussam al-Masri, freelance reporter Moaz Abu Taha, and AP contributor Mariam Dagga. Yet Reuters and AP repeated the Israeli army’s claim that a “Hamas camera” was the target without questioning the story, even though their own colleagues were among the dead.

Reuters photographer Valerie Zink resigned in protest, accusing the agency of “perpetuating Israel’s propaganda” after previous killings, including that of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif.

Hearst says that some Israeli journalists celebrated the killings. Channel 14 said the reporters were “terrorists disguised as journalists”, while i24’s Zvi Yehezkeli declared, “If Israel decides to eliminate the journalists, then it’s better late than never.”

He adds, this reveals Israel’s real aim: to silence those documenting famine, mass killings, and devastation in Gaza. He draws parallels with the role of propaganda in the Rwandan genocide and by Nazi Germany, where media dehumanised victims and disguised atrocities. Today, he says, Israeli media uses similar language to normalise genocide while foreign journalists act as mouthpieces.

Hearst concludes by saying the journalists who died on Monday - and every Palestinian journalist killed reporting this conflict - are role models of their profession. The rest of us, who have the luxury of working as journalists and staying alive, should bow our heads in their memory.

Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews.

Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST
Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected]

Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:
   / @middleeasteye  

Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH

Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG

Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net
Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye  
Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye  
Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye  
Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye