In response to a report by pro-Israel media organization HonestReporting alleging that photojournalists working for major media outlets covered the October 7 Massacre in real time and may have even known about it in advance, the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted a response on X today (Thursday).
The Office stated that “the National Public Diplomacy Directorate in the PMO views with utmost gravity that photojournalists working with international media joined in covering the brutal acts of murder perpetrated by Hamas terrorists on October 7th in the communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip” and that “these journalists were accomplices in crimes against humanity; their actions were contrary to professional ethics.”
The PMO also stated that the Government Press Office sent an urgent letter overnight to the bureau chiefs employing the photojournalists in question requesting clarification and that the National Public Diplomacy Directorate demanded that immediate action be taken.
Minister and security cabinet member Benny Gantz also responded to the allegations, stating on X/Twitter that “journalists found to have known about the massacre, and still chose to stand as idle bystanders while children were slaughtered - are no different than terrorists and should be treated as such.”
One photojournalist employed by CNN has already been dismissed, after having been shown to not only be documenting the massacre in real time but also having been photographed in a friendly embrace with Hamas military wing leader Yahya Sinwar.
The network issued this statement about the dismissal: “We are aware of the article and photo concerning Hassan Eslaiah, a freelance photojournalist who has worked with a number of international and Israeli outlets. While we have not at this time found reason to doubt the journalistic accuracy of the work he has done for us, we have decided to suspend all ties with him.”