ABC under fire after describing Hamas missile strike as act of ‘resilience’

The ABC has been slammed for biased coverage of the war in the Middle East after a social media post by the broadcaster described a Hamas rocket attack as a “show of resilience.”

The ABC has been slammed for biased coverage of the war in the Middle East after a social media post by the broadcaster described a Hamas rocket attack on Tel Aviv as a “show of resilience.”

The Instagram post, which was made Monday morning, described an Israeli strike on Rafah in the Gaza Strip which occurred after Hamas fired a large number of missiles from Gaza at Israeli cities.

“The Israeli air strike was reported after Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel’s massive air, sea, and ground offensive,” the post read in part.

An ABC social media post describing a Hamas rocket attack on Israel as a show of 'resilience'.

This masthead understands that the Instagram post has already attracted a formal, official complaint from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said: “Hamas rockets fired from densely populated civilian areas at Israeli civilian centres are a double war crime.

“They endanger Palestinians by turning the launch site into a lawful military target and their aim is to kill as many Israelis as possible.

“How dare the ABC laud war crimes as ‘resilience’.”

This is not the first time the ABC has come under fire for alleged bias in covering the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Last year, the ABC’s own ombudsman cleared the broadcaster of claims of bias over a controversial episode of discussion program Q&A.

ABC 7.30 political correspondent Laura Tingle speaking at the Sydney Writers Festival.

The broadcaster has also been criticised for a number of editorial decisions including claims ABC Radio briefly cancelled an appearance by Jewish singer-songwriter Deborah Conway because her views were too polarising.

The latest furore comes just days after senior ABC journalist Laura Tingle told the Sydney Writers Festival audience on the weekend that Australia is “a racist country” and always has been.

“We are a racist country, let’s face it. We always have been, and it’s very depressing,” she said.

In a panel session, Ms Tingle also criticised opposition leader Peter Dutton for encouraging racism towards migrants after the Coalition vowed to slash the nation’s migration intake in its budget reply speech.

Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Ms Tingle’s comments caused “division”.

“I’m really disappointed in this continued narrative that is being pushed within our country that does not provide any sense of pride for our children. It absolutely creates division,” she told radio 2GB.

“Laura Tingle has demonstrated over and again her bias and I think (ABC chair) Kim Williams needs to explain why having someone so blatantly partisan sitting in the top political commentator position is in fact acceptable.”

The ABC has been contacted for comment.

They did not comment on Ms Tingle’s remarks.