The Guardian States Israeli Military Raped Palestinian Woman

The Guardian's sub-header states as fact, an allegation that a Palestinian woman was raped and tortured by the Israeli military after carrying out a terrorist bombing in 1969.

By February 26, 2016

UPDATE

HRsuccessShortly 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:

 

guardian250216

 

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.

© 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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