WSJ Journalist Accused of Spreading Antisemitic and Pro-Hamas Content

Abeer Ayyoub, a Gaza-born freelance journalist and contributor to the Wall Street Journal, has come under scrutiny for allegedly disseminating "terrorist propaganda" and "antisemitic slurs" on social media. A media watchdog group, Honest Reporting, claims that Ayyoub has used her platform to promote false narratives about the Israeli military, support Hamas propaganda, and undermine Israel's military efforts. This review highlights a troubling trend among journalists, with examples of other media professionals also linked to extremist groups. The report notes that a CBS News producer has publicly praised the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, while a CNN freelancer has been associated with Hamas and photographed with one of its leaders. Additionally, the Washington Post has reportedly staffed its foreign desk with journalists from Al Jazeera, a network partially funded by the Hamas-friendly Qatari government. These affiliations raise concerns about the objectivity of reporting on the ongoing conflict. On October 7, as Hamas launched a deadly attack resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 Jews, Ayyoub's social media activity included derogatory remarks directed at Elon Musk and Israeli-Arab affairs expert Edy Cohen. She dismissed the Koran's teachings on prisoner treatment and shared an article framing the Hamas attack as an act of liberation, further fueling criticism of her stance. Honest Reporting has called for the Wall Street Journal to address Ayyoub's rhetoric, stating that her actions should raise "alarm bells" within the publication, known for its commitment to high journalistic standards. The Journal has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations.