UPDATE
Shortly following the publication of this post, The Guardian responded to HonestReporting by changing the sub-header to the following:
Court says PTSD testimony should have been allowed in case of Odeh, who says her confession to 1969 bombing was result of rape and torture by Israeli military
While the woman’s claims are there in print, they are, at least, not stated as fact.
* * *
The publication of a Reuters story in The Guardian concerning a Palestinian activist charged with immigration fraud for failing to tell US authorities she had been imprisoned in Israel for a 1969 supermarket bombing that killed two people, includes the following:
Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, 68, has said her confession to the bombing was the result of severe torture by the Israeli military, including rape and electric shocks.
Quite correctly, this states that it is Odeh herself who is making these allegations. There is no evidence beyond the claims of this Palestinian woman.
The Guardian’s sub-header, however, states these claims of rape and torture as fact:
These are serious allegations but that is all they are – allegations – and, as such, should not be printed as if they are proven facts.
This is not only unprofessional editing on the part of The Guardian. Stating that the IDF has carried out rape is tantamount to incitement.
HonestReporting has written to The Guardian demanding that the sub-header is corrected.
