New York Times Admits Gaza Famine Picture Hoax

The New York Times admitted on Tuesday that a picture it used to critique Israel’s war against Hamas did not accurately portray the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Why it matters: Major Western media outlets propel Hamas propaganda again and again. Stories like these show how far the West has fallen morally.

It’s unfortunate that the international media repeatedly falls for Hamas propaganda. First they publish, then they verify, if at all.
—Ofir Akunis, Israeli consul general in New York

Photo: On July 22, Turkish state media—a nation that supports Hamas and hates Israel—photographed 1-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq. The photos highlight Matouq’s malnourished frame and sent shock waves around the world.

• Though he is 1, Mohammed only weighs as much as a 3-month-old.

The New York Times used the child as an example of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Other major Western media outlets like nbc News, Guardian, Daily Mail and bbc News all presented the picture similarly.

Revelation: But people began to notice inconsistencies. In the background of one picture, another child, reportedly Mohammed’s older brother, appears healthy and well fed.

On July 26, the truth came out. In a cnn report, Mohammed’s mother revealed that Mohammed had a preexisting muscle disorder that affects his appearance when not treated. Though he is suffering from a lack of the specialized nutrition he needs, his weakened state is not solely the result of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

• The New York Times only correction to their misleading claims was amending their original article and posting the edit from a secondary account.

Some argue that these news outlets should have known better. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “nyt, you knew that Hamas uses babies with preexisting illnesses. We’ve been saying this for months now. You knew exactly what this picture would cause.”

Prophesied anti-Semitism: The West used to be Israel’s greatest ally against its terrorist neighbors, but now its media and government officials take every opportunity to criticize Israel for its self-defense. What caused this sharp U-turn?

The Bible reveals the answer. It prophesied thousands of years ago about today’s anti-Semitism and the West’s betrayal of Israel.

Learn more: Read “The Media’s Betrayal of Israel.”