That Turkish media, encouraged by the country’s President Erdogan, indulges in antisemitism is not a surprise. But it should be a serious concern for CNN when its local affiliate, CNN Türk, follows suit.
“Jewish lobbies” secretly pulling the strings behind student riots in France. No, this isn’t some neo-Nazi conspiracy site. It’s @CNN’s Turkish affiliate. Viewers were told Israel can “push the button” in France using its “Jewish lobbies,” economic power and intelligence apparatus. And apparently, “it wouldn’t be right to say that Mossad ALONE is responsible.” Textbook antisemitic conspiracy-mongering, broadcast under the CNN brand.
— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) October 5, 2026
In a discussion over student riots in France, the CNN anchor asks her guest whether Israel could be involved in or “behind the curtain” of the events. Apparently it’s “the nature of these people.”
She asks straight out: “Could it be Netanyahu’s Israel doing this here because Israel loves being behind these types of events?”
Granted, it’s not easy to follow the convoluted and frankly bizarre answer from the auto-dubbing, but here’s the gist: The guest talking head generally agrees, implying that Israel benefits from French internal political conflict that could lead to a rupture in relations with its former colonies. What’s more, Israel is trying to teach France a lesson based on how it was behind Spain’s recent Ceuta migration crisis.
Get that? It gets worse.
Israel, with the Jewish lobbies it possesses, its economic power, and, in my opinion, its intelligence apparatus, is capable enough to push the button in France. It would not be accurate to say it was only Mossad… but it is clear that Israel is making itself felt on the streets, especially through certain groups.
In case you are wondering if this discussion veered off course into blatant antisemitism, think again. The captions during the program tell the story, and CNN Türk has posted the entire 20-minute discussion on its YouTube channel under the title: “Protesters Have Started Looting in France! Did Netanyahu Ignite the Streets of France?”
We’ve translated the Turkish captions below.
CNN International’s original agreement with its affiliate required CNN Türk to adhere to CNN’s editorial standards. In 2021, a CNN International delegation was sent to Turkey to investigate whether this was the case, following complaints over political bias.
It’s safe to say that this latest broadcast gives a definitive answer.
Hat Tip: Tomer Ilan
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© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025
