Has the West been taken in by Hamas’ lies and anti Israeli narrative?

[OpheliaWasntMad]

https://nypost.com/2026/09/21/opinion/journalist-admits-anti-israel-narrative-driving-protests-is-based-on-hamas-lies/

This journalist admits that his reporting from Gaza was not accurate because he was afraid of retaliation from Hamas.
Why have so many believed every report from Gaza journalists?

Did you even read the link I provided?
I think some people only read the stuff that supports their view.

And in what way am I not “in good faith”
I have posted honestly without intention to deceive so I consider that a slur .

The irony !!

So you and the 'Anyfool' poster are suggesting that Hamas are a genius, criminal organisation who have tricked the poor Israelis, who are just the victims, into murdering countless civilians. It doesn't sound very likely does it? Even less likely when you take into account the fact that Netanyahu was allegedly warned about the planned attack and chose not to do anything with the information (pretty strange given all the alleged concerns that the Israelis have about their security) and the fact that Israel has one of the best intelligence services in the world.

Why is it ironic. I included myself in it hence the use of the word everyone.

The link you edited to add when.i posted my comment?
Just saw it.

Exactly. It really is a bit of stretch to believe that it is the Israelis who are facing the chief threat here. Others are literally being destroyed by the actions of the Israelis, some of whom are openly stating their aims.

Well if you’ve read it perhaps you could concede that the marches in London are not wholly peaceful and well meaning towards Jews

Yes and, unfortunately, the action of Israel has increased antisemitism against Jewish people in other countries who have no connection to what is going on, many of who are appalled by the behaviour of the Israeli government.

There is evidence ( in Sinwar’s own words) that triggering a huge retaliation for Oct 7 was Hamas’ aim.

They put a tarp over it as a preventative measure?

Those evil Pro Pallys have been foiled again...

Read the whole thing …

Its a fact that pro Palestinian demonstrations often include evidence of antisemitic hate speech
https://www.adl.org/resources/fact-sheet/antisemitic-incidents-anti-israel-events-and-actions-around-world

NHS doctors, artists, celebrities, teachers and Green politicians etc etc in the UK have been guilty of antisemitic hate speech.

And yet some people claim it’s only about peace for innocent Palestinians.

I think people who live in rural areas are very remote from the nastier side of it all.

I didn't expect anyone to actually be able to show any. I think it's quite ridiculous that people are stomping their feet because people aren't saying enough positive things about a country that has flattened 1 part of a territory and are financing and aiding terrorists to commit ethnic cleansing in the other part.

It's all so negative, why do you all keep focusing on the ethnic cleansing, the starvation and destruction when Israel recognise gay marriage 😖

Why don't you tell us something positive about Palestine then?

Well for a start they aren't committing ethnic cleansing. That's a big plus in my eyes.

It’s not funny to see Holocaust memorials defaced with swastikas if you’re a Jew in London. ( and things like that do happen- I’m not making it up)

So you can't think of anything positive to say?

It feels like some believe it is a competition for the world’s compassion and attention. A competition as to who is more to blame- Hamas or IDF.

7/10 was appalling. What has happened in Gaza is appalling.

Most sensible people don’t support Hamas - particularly after what happened on 7/10.

It should be also be ok for people to say they don’t support what Israel’s army and government have done in Gaza.

The above are not mutually incompatible. You can dislike both.

Pro-Israeli supporters seem to feel obligated to defend Israel against claims of harsh treatment of Palestinians and put the blame onto Hamas. Most of the general public will see that both sides share blame.

What is clear is that the dire situation in Gaza is not a « Hamas lie »

Makes Israel look bad too? Tough.

Yes - I agree with this.
But it doesn’t take account of the fact that , while most people don’t “support “ Hamas - neither do they condemn Hamas in the way Israel is constantly condemned.
That’s what this thread is about

I am referring to RL experiences. I have never read a post on here saying Israel deserved the attack either or The Jews deserve to be abused around the world. I certainly don't feel like that.

I am glad your RL experiences are so empathetic on both sides and that you yourself are not antisemitic.

The balance of seeing both sides often appears to be missing from MN posts, though I know that I have expressed sympathy for the Palestinian people as well as for the people of Israel. And I've noticed others on the "pro Israel" side also expressing sympathy for ordinary people in Gaza caught between a rock and a hard place with Hamas and the IDF.

Unlike you, I have read posts on here saying or implying the sort of antisemitic things you mention above - thankfully MN delete those posts once reported.

Likewise, it's rare to see a poster saying Palestinians deserve what has happened to them as a result of 7/10/23. The occasional one will equally be deleted by Mumsnet mods once reported.

I have made it clear in my posts what Hamas did was appalling, but the response has been consistently to go back to blaming Hamas for IDF/ Israeli government has done in Gaza.

I condemn Hamas for 7/10 and for unleashing the IDF onto the Palestinians.

However, I’ll fall off my chair if any of the pro-Israeli supporters will accept that Israel actively chose their response and had agency in causing the destruction of Gaza, the appalling collateral deaths and suffering. They had a choice and now they and their supporters need to accept that people are extremely critical of this.

Dont worry- I won’t expect Israeli supporters to accept the above. Hence these endless threads arguing the same thing over and over again.

I accept that the Israeli government response was disproportionate and I think there must have been a better way to defeat Hamas

I accept that certain Israel politicians had a choice to make their response as harsh as it is/was. Include Netanyahu in this. And that some IDF members have been cruel in their response and even probably committed war crimes.

I disagree strongly with the far right extreme members in the current Israel government in what they have done re the Settlements and when they withhold humanitarian aid from Gaza. Some of them like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are a disgrace to Israel and I sincerely hope they get voted out later this month.

Thanks @Twiglets1

I don’t think most people think differently on the whole. It’s the language used that seems to cause rifts. You say harsh and potential war crimes, others may choose different words and perhaps it’s the semantics that cause the most problems?