Survivors, families of those killed at Nova festival on Oct. 7 file suit against AP

Survivors and families of victims of Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel have filed a lawsuit against the Associated Press (AP), accusing the news agency of collaborating with freelance photojournalists allegedly embedded with the terrorists responsible for the violent assault.

In a federal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida on Wednesday, plaintiffs — including dual Israeli-American citizens and Americans who were present at the Supernova music festival targeted by Hamas — are seeking damages under the Antiterrorism Act.

They are represented by the National Jewish Advocacy Center, which claims that the AP's purchase of images taken during and after the October 7th attack amounts to "materially supporting terrorism."

The lawsuit singles out four freelance photographers whose work was acquired and published by the AP, alleging that they are "known Hamas associates" who actively participated in the attack. Among them, Hassan Eslaiah has been particularly spotlighted, accused of being closely associated with Hamas even before the October 7th assault.

Eslaiah's photos, some of the earliest from the scene of the attack, were widely disseminated. He has faced allegations of being in close proximity to Hamas militants during the attack, and a photo showing him alongside a Hamas commander has fueled suspicions about his connections to the terrorist group. Despite Eslaiah's denials of having prior knowledge of the attack or any links to Hamas, questions about his affiliations have persisted.

The lawsuit accuses the AP of turning a blind eye to Eslaiah's alleged ties to Hamas and profiting from his involvement in the attack by publishing his images. It alleges that the AP was aware of Eslaiah's background but continued to engage him as a freelance photographer.

These allegations against the AP surfaced shortly after the attack, when pro-Israel media watchdog Honest Reporting raised questions about the photographers' potential foreknowledge of the assault. The AP responded by denying any prior knowledge of the attack and asserting that the first images they received were taken well after the assault began.

While the AP has since severed ties with Eslaiah and denied any wrongdoing, the lawsuit underscores the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of freelance journalists in conflict zones and the ethical responsibilities of media organizations.

The National Jewish Advocacy Center director, Mark Goldfeder, criticized the AP's actions, arguing that media outlets cannot evade accountability for their role in supporting terrorist activities. The lawsuit signals a broader debate about the ethical standards governing journalism in conflict zones and the responsibilities of media organizations to ensure their contributors uphold journalistic integrity.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the lawsuit against the AP raises important questions about journalistic ethics, accountability, and the complex dynamics of reporting in conflict zones.

24.02.24

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