Victims of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror strike on Israel are taking legal action against the Associated Press, claiming that the news organization “materially supported terrorism through payments that they made to known agents of Hamas,” according to a copy of the lawsuit and statement from the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, alleges that the AP employed a photographer with ties to Hamas who had advance knowledge of the attack. The AP and CNN severed ties with freelance photographer Hassan Eslaiah last year after reports emerged about his alleged links to Hamas.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC) on behalf of the terror victims, states that the AP was aware of Eslaiah’s affiliation with Hamas and his promotion of terrorism. It also claims that the AP paid for real-time images, including those of Israeli hostages being taken into Gaza, despite being warned about the photographer’s Hamas connections.
The NJAC accuses the AP of aiding and abetting Hamas in carrying out the attack, calling it the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
“Media organizations cannot act with impunity and pretend they don’t know who they are paying,” said NJAC director Mark Goldfeder.
An AP spokesman referred to a statement regarding the lawsuit, calling it “baseless” and denying any advance knowledge of the attack.
Recent media reports have raised questions about freelance photographers employed by top American media outlets, including the AP, Reuters, CNN, and the New York Times, having ties to Hamas and being informed in advance of its plans to attack Israel.
Honest Reporting, a watchdog group, questioned how these journalists were able to arrive at the scene so early, suggesting ethical concerns.
While the AP and other outlets denied having advance knowledge, they cut ties with Eslaiah, who was claimed to have a longstanding relationship with Hamas leadership.
Eslaiah and other freelance photographers are named in the lawsuit, which includes photographic evidence of Eslaiah with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The legal team handling the lawsuit claims that they reached out to the AP before filing, but the AP denied any knowledge of the photographer’s affiliation with Hamas.
What potential consequences could arise for news organizations if they fail to properly investigate the backgrounds and affiliations of their employees, particularly in conflict zones?
He Victims Legal Association, accuses the AP of negligence and recklessness in its hiring and vetting practices. The plaintiffs allege that the news organization failed to properly investigate Eslaiah’s background and ties to Hamas, thereby putting the victims of the attack at risk and contributing to the support of terrorism.
Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, has a long history of carrying out attacks against Israeli civilians. The Oct. 7 attack in which Eslaiah allegedly had advance knowledge resulted in the deaths of several Israeli citizens and the injury of many more.
The lawsuit claims that Eslaiah’s affiliation with Hamas was no secret and was known to the AP at the time of his employment. It highlights the fact that credible reports had been published prior to the attack revealing Eslaiah’s connections to the terrorist organization. Despite this information, the AP allegedly continued to employ Eslaiah as a freelance photographer, thereby enabling him to gather information and potentially aid in planning the attack.
The plaintiffs argue that the AP’s actions not only violated their duty of care towards the victims but also constituted material support for terrorism, a serious offense under U.S. law. By compensating and supporting an individual with known ties to a terrorist organization, the AP allegedly contributed to the financial stability and operation of Hamas, thus indirectly funding further acts of terrorism.
The case against the AP raises important questions about the responsibility of news organizations when it comes to hiring and vetting their employees, particularly in conflict zones where terrorist organizations may seek to exploit media channels for their own gain. It underscores the need for rigorous background checks and due diligence before hiring journalists and photographers, especially those working in regions prone to conflict and terrorism.
In response to the lawsuit, the Associated Press has stated that it takes these allegations seriously and will thoroughly investigate the claims made against it. The news organization maintains that it adheres to strict ethical and journalistic standards and that any wrongdoing on the part of Eslaiah does not reflect the values and principles of the AP.
However, the victims and their legal representatives argue that the AP’s failure to vet Eslaiah adequately makes it complicit in the Oct. 7 attack and potentially other acts of terrorism facilitated by the photographer. They assert that the AP’s negligence and recklessness have not only caused harm to the victims but have also undermined the reputation and integrity of the news organization itself.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the journalism industry as a whole. It serves as a wake-up call for news organizations to prioritize the safety and security of their employees, as well as the accuracy and credibility of their reporting. It highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability in the hiring and vetting process, in order to prevent unauthorized individuals with nefarious intentions from infiltrating the ranks of reputable news outlets.
In conclusion, the lawsuit against the Associated Press alleging that it materially supported terrorism through its employment of a photographer with ties to Hamas raises important legal and ethical questions. It emphasizes the need for news organizations to prioritize the thorough vetting and background checks of their employees in order to prevent potential harm to individuals and the support of terrorist activities. The case serves as a reminder to the industry of the crucial role it plays in maintaining the integrity and credibility of journalism in conflict zones.
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