AP Writes About Problems in Gaza, Doesn’t Even Mention Hamas

The Associated Press, one of the largest news agencies in the world, wrote a short article about Gaza, just 309 words. Not a single one of those words was “Hamas.”

That’s like talking about Syria and not using the words “Islamic State” (ISIS) or talking about the September 11 attacks and not mentioning “Al Qaeda.” It’s more than surreal, it’s bad journalism.

Why Should the AP Mention Hamas?

1. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip.
2. Hamas is designated as a terror organization by: Australia, Canada, Egypt, the European Union , Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States, yet the article also fails to mention the word “terror.”
3. Hamas’s rockets and attack tunnels are responsible for immeasurable suffering in Gaza and in Israel, including wars in 2009, 2012 and 2014, yet the article fails to mention the words “rocket” or “tunnel.”
4. The Hamas Charter calls for the total destruction of Israel and the murder of all Jews, yet the AP story did not include any mention of these concepts.
5. Most of all, Hamas’s ongoing war against Israel and the Jewish people is the reason why Israel’s security measures are necessary in the first place, and it is the root cause of suffering endured by both Palestinians and Israelis. The AP mentions none of this.

So what words does the AP use?

The article does include words such as “specter of violence,” “chronic realities,” and the phrase “Palestinians in Gaza are growing ever more desperate.”

After describing problems in Gaza the AP goes on to make three separate uses of the word “Israel” or “Israeli,” one use of the word “Netanyahu” and one use of the word “Lieberman.” Not surprisingly, the AP’s references to Israel and Israeli leadership are made in the course of blaming Israel for the problems in Gaza, claiming those problems are due to Israel’s lack of “political will” to pursue a peace process. This is a blatant example of “Opinions Disguised as News.”

Why does this matter?

The AP story paints a picture that Israel is exclusively responsible for war and suffering in Gaza, that Palestinians bear no responsibility for pursuing peace, and that Hamas…simply does not exist.

We think news audiences deserve better.

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