CNN: Joseph’s Tomb “Catches Fire”

CNN's headline stated that Jewish holy site Joseph's Tomb simply "caught fire" even though it was torched by a Palestinian mob.

By October 18, 2015

CNN managed to disgrace itself over a weekend in which Joseph’s Tomb, an important Jewish holy site located in Nablus, was torched by a mob of Palestinians. According to CNN, however, Joseph’s Tomb simply caught fire with not even a whiff of Palestinian involvement.

 

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Eventually, CNN updated the headline:

 

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Even now, the headline is still morally ambiguous. Is it really too much for CNN to admit that Palestinians are responsible both for the Joseph’s Tomb blaze and also for initiating the wave of terror currently afflicting Israelis?

HonestReporting Managing Editor Simon Plosker adds:

In CNN’s world, Joseph’s Tomb spontaneously combusts while Israelis fall victim to anonymous knives. It’s appalling that CNN and other media are unwilling or unable to assign responsibility to Palestinians for any acts of violence against Israelis or, in this case, a Jewish holy site.

 

[sc:bottomsignup ]

© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025

Simon Plosker

Simon Plosker

With over two decades of experience in various non-governmental organizations in the UK and Israel, Simon Plosker returned to HonestReporting in October 2022 as Editorial Director having previously been part of the organization’s management team from 2005 to 2020.

Prior to his first spell at HonestReporting, Simon worked in Israel for NGO Monitor, BICOM, and served for a short period in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. He was Managing Editor of the Geneva-based NGO United Nations Watch for two years before moving back to the frontline defending Israel from media bias.

Simon has a BSoc.Sc in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Birmingham and an MSc in History of International Relations from the London School of Economics. He immigrated to Israel in 2001 from London.

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