CAMERA’s Israel office today prompted a correction at Haaretz‘s English edition after the Israeli daily erroneously referred to Israeli and foreign hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip in violation of international law as “prisoners.”
The June 19 (in June 20 print edition) erred: “In Israel, it is estimated that the war against Iran could positively influence Hamas’s willingness to be flexible in negotiations on a prisoner exchange and a cease-fire. . . ” (“Israel Sees Iran War as Leverage in Gaza Talks,” emphasis added. Screenshot of the uncorrected version is at left.)The 53 hostages – snatched from their bedrooms and a dance party, with others kidnapped from their otherwise peaceful army bases – are not “prisoners.” They have not committed crimes and are not being held lawfully. Nor are they awaiting any trial of any kind. They are held incommunicado with no Red Cross visits and in total violation of international law. The captured soldiers are not prisoners of war because until Hamas launched its surprise slaughter and kidnapping spree targeting civilians and soldiers alike, the two sides were not in a state of war.
Notably, the Hebrew version of the same article correctly refers to a “hostages deal.”
A wall in Modiin, Israel bearing hostage posters in 2023 (Photo by Tamar Sternthal)
In response to communication from CAMERA’s Israel office, Haaretz has commendably corrected the digital article to rightly refer to a “hostage release,” as opposed to “prisoner exchange.” Contrary to common journalistic practice, no note is appended to the article alerting readers to the change.
For more instances of “Haaretz, Lost in Translation,” in which misinformation published in the English edition had not appeared in the Hebrew counterpart, please see here.