Distorted Narratives Harm Israel and Undermine the Truth

Distorted Narratives Harm Israel and Undermine the Truth

BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES

Widespread news and social media bias – combined with conspiracy theories and false narratives – continues to distort public perceptions of the war Hamas launched against Israel. Some high-profile news media coverage is becoming even more concerning – and damaging. Unbalanced reports undermine the public’s understanding – focusing on Israeli counter-terrorism actions while too often ignoring the role of Hamas as the aggressor. The social media echo chamber and even respected news sources often downplay the human cost of Hamas actions – including the ongoing hostage crisis. In an era of rampant misinformation and disinformation, distorted reporting too often amplifies anti-Israel sentiment, perpetuates harmful narratives and makes fact-based discussions challenging. 

60 Minutes Report: Missed Opportunity for Balanced Journalism

A recent 60 Minutes TV story – The Gaza Policy – focused heavily on Israel’s counter-terrorism operations in Gaza while ignoring the role of Hamas as the aggressor in the conflict. The report failed to address Hamas use of civilian areas for military purposes and its ongoing abuse of Palestinians and attacks against Israelis. There was little mention of the hostages that continue to be held under brutal conditions for more than 15 months. Two-year-old Kfir Bibas has been held in captivity for the majority of his life without a single word from his captors about his condition as a “prisoner.” 

60 Minutes has long been considered a “gold standard” of journalism – it is currently airing its 57th season and reaches more than 10 million viewers. The recent broadcast included interviews with former U.S. State Dept. officials critical of American support for Israel but without properly including opposing viewpoints. Their opinions were presented as news. The officials alleged that the U.S. was directly responsible for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza – rather than Hamas.  

One of the former State Dept. officials resigned in protest only 10 days after the 10/7 atrocities and told a 60 Minutes producer that Israel should have pursued a peace deal immediately after the Hamas assault, rather than holding the terrorists accountable. He then joined an organization that supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel’s existence and opposed the Abraham Accords peace agreements between Israel and Islamic nations. 

Another official served as a speaker at Council on American-Islamic Relations events. She has falsely accused Israel of committing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. CAIR was declared an unindicted co-conspirator by the U.S. Justice Dept. in a major 2008 Hamas terrorism financing case. 

Criticism of Anti-Israel Media Bias: ‘Media needs to do better’

Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, was highly critical of the news media’s coverage of Hamas and Israel in an interview before the 60 Minutes story aired – and warned about the impact of this war on future U.S. policymakers: “America has been fed a media coverage of this war” that Hamas has effectively controlled. “The American media uses language like, ‘the Palestinian Health Authority [Hamas] reports and the IDF claims.’ I think ‘claims’ is a little bit arch for a trusted ally. You could say they ‘say.’” 

Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the U.S. Military Academy, John Spencer, condemned the “misinformation and vilification” of the Israeli military by 60 Minutes and its use of data from a non-governmental organization that uses “unaccepted methods to determine casualty estimates.” The NGO admits that it assumes all deaths in Gaza are civilians – unless there is evidence confirming they are militants. CBS News also relied on data from a prestigious British medical journal long-known for its repeated anti-Israel bias. A recently debunked Lancet article reported more civilian deaths than even Hamas reported.

ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: “I’m outraged that CBS News’ 60 Minutes  would air such a biased and one-sided piece, villainizing Israel and berating U.S. support for its ally. Where are the counter perspectives to those interviewed? Where is the mention of the nearly 100 hostages – including Americans – STILL in captivity!? What kind of journalism is that? Major media outlets all need to do better.”  

Hamas Continues its Campaign of Destruction

Iran-backed terror group Hamas is perpetuating the conflict and exacerbating suffering for Palestinians and Israelis. Hamas is reportedly, recruiting new militants and rebuilding under the brother of deceased terror leader Yahya Sinwar. The terror group is still firing rockets at Israeli civilians and killed a number of Israeli soldiers in recent weeks. 

Hamas continues to use Palestinian hospitals, humanitarian zones and civilian homes to shelter its terrorists. Israel was condemned in late December for taking action against a Hamas command and control center in a Palestinian hospital and arresting its director – a doctor suspected of being a Hamas terrorist. An elite Hamas fighter – who doubled as a hospital janitor – revealed to Israeli authorities: “From the hospital, the grenades and mortars were given out, to attack the tanks, for ambushes and for tunnels because terrorists think the hospital is a safe shelter.”

U.S. Ambassador Lew: “The media that is presenting a pro-Hamas perspective is sent out instantaneously telling a story. It tells a story that is, over time, shown not to be completely accurate.”

1.  The media’s failure to present a balanced picture harms Israel and America

A great deal of biased media coverage of the Hamas war against Israel created a skewed narrative starting on Oct. 8, often portraying Israel as the sole aggressor while downplaying or ignoring Hamas violations of international humanitarian law. Stories often highlight Israeli counter-terrorism actions while ignoring Hamas provocations, including the 10/7 massacre and the ongoing abuse of Palestinian civilians by Hamas terrorists. This selective framing diminishes Israel’s right to defend its citizens and obscures the role of Hamas as the aggressor. One-sided narratives are journalistic malpractice that undermine Israeli and American security in their fight against terrorism, Iran and its proxies.

2.  Biased reporting is amplified on social media to millions of followers

Individuals and organizations propagate biased coverage, spreading misinformation and one-sided narratives at an alarming pace. Viral posts often depict scenes of destruction in Gaza without context – fueling outrage against Israel while ignoring the Hamas role in instigating violence – and algorithms prioritize emotionally charged content. Echo chambers increase hostility toward Israel and embolden anti-Jewish rhetoric. Accurate reporting and fact-checking are important. Social media platforms must take more responsibility to limit the spread of misleading narratives that distort the truth. 

3.  Hamas is directly responsible for suffering in Gaza 

Hamas actions are the root cause of the suffering in Gaza, including the hoarding of international aid intended for building Gaza – redirected to the construction of its terror tunnel infrastructure. The Iran-backed terrorists embed themselves in civilian neighborhoods and humanitarian zones, store weapons in schools and hospitals and divert humanitarian aid for its military purposes. Hamas purposefully endangers its own citizens, using many as unwilling human shields. Hamas sparked the current conflict when it killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages on 10/7, a clear and proven fact now often overlooked in news and social media reports. Israel targets Hamas infrastructure to protect its citizens. Hamas terrorists continue to pursue violence and manipulate media narratives because this has proven to be a winning strategy, with truth made a global casualty. 

Contact CBS News to Demand Balanced and Accurate Reporting

Contact Information

60 Minutes

Email: 60m@cbsnews.com 

Phone: (212) 975-3247 (CBS Audience Services)

Mailing Address: 60 Minutes | 524 West 57th St. | New York, NY 10019

Guidelines

• Use respectful language: Avoid offensive remarks. Emphasize your concern as a viewer who values balanced journalism.
• Be concise: Focus on the issue. Highlight specific concerns, such Hamas attacks, the hostages and counter perspectives.
• Personalize your message: Share why this issue matters to you personally. For example, mention your commitment to accurate media coverage or the impact misinformation has on public perception.
• Request action: Ask CBS News to commit to balanced reporting in future segments and to review its policies for impartiality.
• Provide contact information: Include your name and email address to demonstrate you are a serious viewer, not merely making an anonymous complaint.

Suggested Language

Subject: Concern Over Biased Reporting on 60 Minutes

Dear Bill Owens and Susan Zirinsky,

I am writing to express my concern about the recent 60 Minutes report on Gaza and Israel. The segment presented a one-sided narrative that heavily criticized Israel’s counter-terrorism actions while failing to address Hamas aggression – including its attacks on Israeli civilians, the deliberate placing of fighters in civilian areas and its ongoing abuse of Palestinians.

The report omitted critical context about the nearly 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity – including American citizens – and failed to provide a balanced perspective by excluding voices that could speak to Israel’s security challenges and Hamas terrorist actions. This lack of balance does not meet the journalistic standards viewers expect from 60 Minutes, a program long regarded as the gold standard for in-depth, accurate and balanced reporting.

I urge CBS News to ensure future coverage of this complex conflict includes multiple perspectives and acknowledges the full context of events, rather than relying on selective narratives that amplify misinformation. Fair and accurate reporting is essential for constructive dialogue. I expect more from CBS News and particularly from 60 Minutes.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

At the time of this publication, Israel and Hamas reportedly are close to agreeing to an exchange of dozens of Israeli hostages – dead and alive – for hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists – including convicted murderers – and a ceasefire agreement. 

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• ADL leader Jonathan Greenblatt: How the Jewish community can address post-10/7 explosion of anti-Jewish hatred

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• Amnesty International suspends defiant Israel branch for “undermining” its anti-Israel mission
• UN Watch report, The Unholy Alliance: UNRWA, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, An investigation into the secret ties between terrorist organizations and the UN’s largest aid agency; UNRWA “knowingly” let Hamas infiltrate and “indoctrinate” children to “pursue a path of terrorism”
• IDF confirms death of hostage Hamza Ziyadne, day after father Youssef laid to rest after his body is recovered from Gaza; Family and friends mourn death

Stories From Around the World

• Germany: Berlin police chief: Jewish and gay residents should avoid neighborhoods with large Arab population because of “sympathy with terrorist groups,” anti-Jewish hatred in Berlin at post-WWII high
• Canada: Toronto police officers slam inaction against pro-Hamas protesters
• UK and Belgium: Islamic Human Rights Commission “urges boycott of official Holocaust commemorations” on UK’s Holocaust Memorial Day; Two Belgian schools refuse to attend Holocaust memorial ceremony for Jewish families because of the Hamas war against Israel
• Australia: Australian synagogue graffitied with swastikas in latest attack: “Hitler on top, Allah is the greatest,” assailants attempted to set synagogue on fire; Ice hockey federation will not host tournament featuring Israel, citing safety fears; Jewish community leader: “The decision-makers chose to bow to extremists”; Anti-Israel activist calls for violence, burning of Australian flags on Australia Day: “This is a reminder that those who target the Jewish community and Israel also hate Australia.”