A Sky News host berated an IDF spokesman this weekend, suggesting the digital map of Gaza the IDF published so residents could clear out of targeted areas was not helpful because the Gazans allegedly did not have “power to power up their cell phones.” When the IDF spokesman cited evidence to refute the claim, the reporter abruptly shut down the interview.
Sky News’ Jonathan Samuels told IDF spokesman Doron Spielman before a break, “Just wanted to ask you very quickly about that digital map. You’re telling people where is going to be targeted next. People don’t have power to power up their mobile phones; they haven’t got Wi-Fi.”
Spielman replied, “All of your viewers saw our hostages being paraded through the streets as they were released to Israel over those seven nights and hundreds of Gazans holding their phones videoing them. So clearly, there’s enough power to power their phones when they’re parading our hostages throughout Gaza. Now that same power to their phones will be to get the maps, download the maps, look at the flyers.”
Before he could fully complete his answer, the Sky News host interjected. “Major Spielman, I’m so sorry. We’re out of time,” Samuels said, terminating the interview.
https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1731447487821447680
Sky News International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn has quoted Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar claiming he told hostages they would not be harmed, then said Sinwar’s claim “undermines the Hamas= ISIS storyline.” Waghorn also said that the hostages “were held in reasonable conditions, reportedly…”
Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar met with the Israeli hostages a day after they were taken in tunnels under Gaza and told them they would not be harmed and would be returned as part of a hostage deal. Undermines the Israeli Hamas = ISIS storyline.
— Dominic Waghorn (@DominicWaghorn) November 28, 2023
They were held in reasonable conditions, reportedly, though those held above ground lived with the fear of being killed in Israel's bombardment.
— Dominic Waghorn (@DominicWaghorn) November 28, 2023
Waghorn’s version of facts did not go unchallenged:
Hamas hostages recount horrors of captivity. Complete darkness for 50 days, little food, little bathroom access.. Reports emerging some women held in cages. https://t.co/OBR3j5dcVM
— Ron M. (@Jewtastic) November 28, 2023
Waghorn was slammed for his apparent pro-Hamas bias:
How dare you. How DARE YOU. pic.twitter.com/qbwLlc4HrJ
— Calgie (@christiancalgie) November 28, 2023
Well that explains the outlandish Sky News takes on Israel. pic.twitter.com/DhkjnGaOWf
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) November 28, 2023
Sky News has been criticized for its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war elsewhere as well:
.@SkyNews continues to sink lower and lower.
They published this completely unchallenged diatribe by a UNICEF spokesman that included language redolent of the antisemitic blood libel.
His 'proof' that Israel is engaging in a 'war on children'? A bomb allegedly exploded fifty… https://t.co/x59tZc9v2W
— CAMERA UK (@CAMERAorgUK) December 4, 2023
Award-winning journalist David Collier issued a long Twitter thread slamming Sky News in which he concluded, “Sky News really is a disgrace of a channel. It employs anti-Israel activists and then pushes out biased, distorted and hostile reports on Israel. This is institutional antisemitism. What a rancid, toxic, media outlet Sky has become. Shame on them.”
