The Washington Post’s resident fact-checker was treated to a virtual earful over his Wednesday piece claiming that the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza had a “good track record” when it came to accurately reporting death tolls.
Fact-checker Glenn Kessler was responding to statements from Biden administration officials — and President Joe Biden himself — who had said that he had “no confidence” in the numbers coming out of any organization controlled by Hamas terrorists.
“I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I’m sure innocents have been killed, and it’s the price of waging a war,” Biden said. “I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”
Kessler, however, appeared to argue that the health ministry could be trusted. He explained that the Biden administration had cited the Gaza Health Ministry in the past and that the United Nations cited their numbers as well.
Fact Checker: The president said he had “no confidence” in the figures issued by the Hamas-run health ministry, but it has a good track record on reporting death tolls. https://t.co/5xh4k2zq5d
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 1, 2023
But critics were not buying Kessler’s argument, and said so via X.
“This piece on the accuracy of Hamas Health Ministry’s casualty figures, which produced 27 seconds after Israeli strikes, is predicated on the idea that the UN, which operates in Gaza only with the understanding that Hamas exerts editorial control over it, is a reliable narrator,” Noah Rothman said, adding, “It was only about two weeks ago the UN announced that Hamas had stolen a shipment of fuel but then speedily deleted the announcement. No one with any experience covering UNRWA needs to ask why.”
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It was only about two weeks ago the UN announced that Hamas had stolen a shipment of fuel but then speedily deleted the announcement. No one with any experience covering UNRWA needs to ask why https://t.co/Mg8roMeCoF
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) November 1, 2023
“FACT CHECK: Alderaan Death Toll Greatly Exaggerated, Says Generally Reliable & Unbiased Galactic Empire Health Ministry,” Dan McLaughlin said.
Another added, “Democracy dies in useful idiocy.”
“What on earth is happening at WaPo where they think terrorists are reliable sources,” Steve Guest posted, tagging one of President Biden’s spokesmen (@AndrewJBates46) and adding, “I’m happy to assist in fighting back against this insane fact check. Your guy has this one right. Yes, WaPo is coming to the defense of Hamas terrorists to attack your boss.”
What on earth is happening at WaPo where they think terrorists are reliable sources?@AndrewJBates46 – I'm happy to assist in fighting back against this insane fact check. Your guy has this one right.
Yes, WaPo is coming to the defense of Hamas terrorists to attack your boss. https://t.co/UZPcvb9iRK
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 1, 2023