In a quote usually attributed to Aeschylus,the father of Greek tragedy,it’s often said that truth is the first casualty of war.
In that vein,let’s take a closer look at the latest misinformation spreading online – and the facts.
CLAIM: Yemen has declared war against Israel.
THE FACTS: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has not declared war on Israel. Houthi rebels backed by Iran,which control the country’s capital, and threatened further attacks,but also did not declare war.
CLAIM: Pro-Palestinian rallies at the University of California,Los Angeles and the University of Pennsylvania called for “Jewish genocide”.
THE FACTS: The chant uttered in videos of recent demonstrations is being misrepresented. Protestors aren’t saying “We want Jewish genocide” but rather “Israel,we charge you with genocide”. Experts and advocates say it’s a typical refrain heard at pro-Palestinian rallies.
CLAIM: An ad for British department store Marks&Spencer shows a Palestinian flag burning in a fireplace.
THE FACTS: The image shows paper Christmas hats burning in a fireplace in red,green and silver,which are traditional Christmas colours. It’s an outtake from a Christmas commercial filmed in August that was meant to “playfully” illustrate how people don’t enjoy some Christmas traditions,including donning the hats.
Widely shared social media posts falsely claimed the image depicted a burning Palestinian flag. Others took offence that the colours chosen were from the Palestinian flag. M&S has now removed the image.
CLAIM: A video showing bodies moving after being covered by white cloths is evidence that deaths are being faked by Palestinians and Hamas during the Israel-Hamas war.
THE FACTS: The video is from 2013 and shows students protesting at Al-Azhar University in Cairo,Egypt.
AP