Reuters Headline Fail: Netanyahu “Threatens to Shoot” Stone Throwers

UPDATE

Within minutes of the publication of this post, Reuters has amended the headline, which now reads:

 

 

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This Reuters headline makes Benjamin Netanyahu sound like Dirty Harry:

 

 

Is the Israeli PM really threatening to shoot children throwing stones?

The official government statement that Reuters also refers to, states the following:

Since the legal system is finding it difficult to deal with stone-throwing by minors, changing open-fire orders regarding the throwing of stones and firebombs will be examined, as will be the imposition – by law – of minimum sentences for those who throw stones and firebombs.

While Netanyahu has said: “The policy is zero tolerance for stone-throwing and zero tolerance for terrorism,” how does this translate into a threat to shoot Palestinian minors?

It doesn’t.

Reuters’ headline is inaccurate and inflammatory.

And even though the security discussions call for increased action to deal with stone throwers, it’s worth reminding ourselves that stones and rocks can be deadly too.

We are contacting Reuters to demand that the headline is changed. Watch this space.

 

Featured image: CC BY Samuel M. Livingston via flickr with modifications by HonestReporting

 

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