May 22 UPDATE:
AFP Commendably Corrects
In response to communication from CAMERA's Israel office, AFP has commendably corrected the caption, which now accurately identifies the demonstrator as a "Hamas supporter." See below for a detailed update.
In New York City on Saturday, a Hamas supporter literally waved the flag of the terror organization right in front of an Agence France Presse photographer. The photo agency, however, whitewashed the masked man, who was sporting a Hamas headband and proudly bearing the Hamas flag, as nothing more than a "Pro-Palestinian demonstrator."
The misleading, incomplete caption does not identify the flag or otherwise mention the designated terror organization which last October carried out the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. Instead, it whitewashes:
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally to mark the Nakba anniversary in New York City on May 18, 2024. On May 15, 2024 and continuing this weekend, Palestinians and their supporters around the world marked the 76th anniversary of the "Nakba," when around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 creation of Israel.
John Lamparski / AFP
CAMERA has contacted AFP to request that the caption be amended to note the display of Hamas paraphernalia on New York City streets, an alarming development. Stay tuned for any updates.
Yes, ppl, that IS a Hamas flag and Hamas headband on display in NYC. But, per @AFP @AFPphoto, the masked figures are simply "Pro-Palestinian demonstrators" - not supporters of a designated terror org aiming to "globalize the intifada" @AFPFactCheck @CAMERAorg pic.twitter.com/AFfEUiAok8
— Tamar Sternthal (@TamarSternthal) May 19, 2024
For the Arabic version of this post, please see CAMERA Arabic.
See also "AP Amends Captions to Identify Hamas Flag on Temple Mount."
May 22 Update: AFP, Getty Images Commendably Correct
A screenshot of the corrected caption
In response to communication from CAMERA's israel office, AFP has commendably corrected the photo caption. The corrected text states:
A Hamas supporter (R) participates in a rally to mark the Nakba anniversary in New York City on May 18, 2024. On May 15, 2024 and continuing this weekend, Palestinians and their supporters around the world marked the 76th anniversary of the "Nakba," when around 760,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 creation of Israel. John Lamparski / AFP
A note appended to the photo information informs AFP subscribers:
“THE ERRONEOUS MENTION[S] APPEARING IN THE METADATA OF THIS PHOTO BY JOHN LAMPARSKI HAS BEEN MODIFIED IN AFP SYSTEMS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: [HAMAS SUPPORTER ] INSTEAD OF [PRO-PALESTINIAN]. PLEASE IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE ERRONEOUS MENTION[S] FROM ALL YOUR [sic]
Separately, Getty Images has also published a caption whitewashing the same Hamas supporter as a "Pro-Palestinian protester," and failing to note the Hamas symbols on display. The misleading caption (screenshot at left) stated:
Activists in New York City Mark Nabka [sic] Day With Protests
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 18: Pro-Palestinian protesters confront police during a Nakba Day rally and march on May 18, 2024 in the Bay Ridge section of New York City. Dozens of arrests were made during the rally and march as protesters faced off with hundreds of police. Nakba Day is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians to mark their 1948 expulsion from lands that are now part of greater Israel. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Earlier this week CAMERA contacted Getty Images about the problematic caption. Today Getty editors commendably amended the caption to note the Hamas symbols:
Pro-Palestinian protesters, including one bearing a Hamas flag and headband, march in a Nakba Day rally on May 18, 2024 in the Bay Ridge section of New York City. Dozens of arrests were made during the rally and march as protesters faced off with hundreds of police. Nakba Day is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians to mark their 1948 expulsion from lands that are now part of greater Israel. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images). (Emphasis added.)
