Democratic Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., has accused the New York Times of promoting Hamas propaganda after the paper published an interview with a senior Hamas official. Fetterman, a supporter of Israel, denounced the Times for giving a platform to a terrorist group responsible for numerous civilian casualties.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has launched a scathing attack on the New York Times, accusing the newspaper of spreading Hamas propaganda after it featured an interview with Khaled Meshal, one of the terror group's top leaders.
Fetterman took to Twitter to express his outrage over the Times' story, headlined "Hamas is surviving war in Israel. Now it hopes to thrive in Gaza again." The article, published on Tuesday, quotes Meshal boasting that Hamas "is winning the war and will play a decisive role in Gaza’s future," despite Israel's commitment to eradicate the terror group responsible for killing 1,200 people on October 7.
Senator Fetterman Rebukes New York Times for "Platforming Hamas Propaganda
"No idea why NYT would platform this propaganda from a terrorist," Fetterman tweeted. "Undoubtedly, Israel will hold him accountable. Hamas is no different than WWII Nazis and I fully support Israel’s commitment to neutralize them."
Fetterman's comments underscore the deep divide between some American politicians and the New York Times over its coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Times has been criticized by some for its perceived bias towards the Palestinians, while others have defended the paper's reporting as fair and balanced.
Senator Fetterman Rebukes New York Times for "Platforming Hamas Propaganda
In the wake of Fetterman's remarks, the New York Times did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The Times' interview with Meshal has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of Hamas as a resilient force. Meshal claimed that Hamas "has the upper hand" and "has remained steadfast" while bringing the Israeli military into "a state of attrition."
Senator Fetterman Rebukes New York Times for "Platforming Hamas Propaganda
However, critics have dismissed Meshal's claims as propaganda, highlighting Hamas's significant losses during the recent conflict with Israel. The U.S. has accused Meshal and other Hamas leaders of playing "a central role in planning and carrying out the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel." Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel.
Despite its losses, Meshal expressed confidence that Hamas would continue to play a dominant role in Gaza following the war. He dismissed alternative American and Israeli proposals for administering the territory without Hamas, saying, "All their illusions about filling the vacuum are behind us."
Senator Fetterman Rebukes New York Times for "Platforming Hamas Propaganda
However, the Times report also acknowledges that many in Gaza are critical of Hamas for its role in the October 7 massacre, which launched a full-scale war in the region. Meshal dismissed this criticism, claiming that Palestinian critics of Hamas represent a minority.
