Jerusalem Post columnist criticizes AP, Reuters and AFP over assumptions about motives
In Israel, Tamar Sternthal, director of research and media analysis at CAMERA, criticized the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse in a column for the Jerusalem Post. In her view, these media outlets attributed unconfirmed intentions and desires to Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The author believes journalists should report verified statements and actions by politicians rather than present assumptions about their private motives as established facts.
AP’s wording on Gaza
Sternthal drew attention to an Associated Press headline from September 7 about Muslim countries condemning an Israeli proposal to “empty Gaza.” She argues that Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz separately put forward their own ideas on facilitating the emigration of Palestinians who wish to leave, but that this was not a government proposal.
According to the author, wording about “removing” Palestinians creates the impression of forced displacement. She referred to a Ynet report in which Katz said that the Migration Directorate was ready to organize departures by sea, air and other means. According to data cited in the column, a COGAT survey, which the Jerusalem Post wrote about in May 2026, showed that 80% of Gaza Strip residents were interested in receiving information about mechanisms for relocating to a third country through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
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Reuters and AFP examples
Separately, Sternthal challenged Reuters’ wording in June 2025, which described the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities as fulfilling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-held dream of persuading Washington to use military force against Tehran. The author noted that earlier Reuters reports recorded Netanyahu’s statements about the need for a tougher agreement with Iran and sanctions, rather than calls for war.
She also mentioned an AFP publication released one month after the October 7 mass killing, which said that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar dreams of a single Palestinian state. According to a subsequent AFP clarification cited in the column, Hamas agreed in principle for the first time to a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders, while not recognizing Israel and maintaining its stated goal of “liberating” all of historic Palestine.
