Hegset accused some media outlets of bias
During a briefing at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagset sharply criticized parts of the American media. He compared journalists to the Pharisees of the New Testament, who, he said, ignored the obvious due to their bias, according to The Times of Israel.
Pete Hagset delivered a harsh critique of the media during a briefing at the Pentagon. In his speech, he drew a parallel between modern journalists and the Pharisees—a religious group mentioned in the New Testament.
According to the minister, he recalled a story from the Gospel of Mark that he heard in church on Sunday. In it, Jesus comes to the synagogue on the Sabbath and heals a man with a withered hand. At the same time, the Pharisees, as described in the text, were watching him not out of compassion, but to find a reason to accuse him.
Hegset retold this story and added his own interpretation: “You see, the Pharisees—these self-proclaimed elites of their time—were there to record everything, to write it down, to report on it.” But their hearts were closed. Even when they witnessed a true miracle, it meant nothing to them.”
After that, he directly compared them to the modern media: “I was sitting in church and thought: our press is just like these Pharisees. Not all of them. Not all of them. But this applies to that part of the media that hates Trump.”
He specifically emphasized that he does not mean all journalists without exception, but believes that some of them approach coverage with a preconceived position.
The Pharisees were an influential religious movement in first-century Judea. Historically, it is believed that their tradition became the foundation for the further development of Rabbinic Judaism. Hegset’s statement came amid tense relations between politicians and the media in the U.S., where the issue of journalistic bias remains a subject of constant controversy.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegset also stated that American troops in the Middle East are ready to resume combat operations if Iran does not agree to a peace deal.
As a result of the Israeli strike, the Qasimiyeh Bridge, which connected southern and northern Lebanon, was severely damaged. This has complicated the delivery of humanitarian aid and effectively cut off part of the population.
The U.S. stated that it would use force against ships attempting to circumvent the blockade of Iran.
Israel stated that it had eliminated two armed individuals in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
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