Contextual reporting of Israel-Palestine focus of Imam demands

The nation’s leading group of Muslim clerics has called on journalists to report the anniversary of the October 7 massacre in the context of the 77-year history of Israel and Palestine.

NSW Premier Chris Minns speaking before Muslim community leaders and Imams at the Australian National Imams Council with Sheik Shadi Alsuleiman.

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The nation’s leading group of Muslim clerics has called on journalists to report the anniversary of the October 7 massacre in the context of the 77-year history of Israel and Palestine.

The Australian National Imams Council put out a letter to the media that identified practices it claimed would push “the already increasing rise of Islamophobia, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian hate and prejudice”.

Among the ANIC’s demands from the media was a call for journalists to cover the one-year anniversary of October 7 – the single worst attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust – with “the complexities involved” at the centre of their reporting.

“The history between Palestinians and Israelis spans over 77 years, and simplistically presenting this conflict overlooks the complexities involved. Such oversimplification can lead to misinterpretations and hinder informed public discourse,” the ANIC statement said.

“The past year has given room for record numbers of Islamophobic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian cases that have deeply affected thousands of Australian Muslims and Palestinians across the country.

“There is no time when accurate, fair, and integrity-driven reporting is more needed than now.”

The statement comes after a year-long push from anti-Israel critics to demand the massacre not be reported as terror attack in its own right but rather as part of a decades-long conflict, which Jewish leaders allege is an attempt to dampen the trauma of the massacre and blame victims.

The ANIC represents 300 Imams and Islamic organisations across Australia and is led by Sheik Shadi Alsuleiman, who also heads the not-for-profit United Muslims of Australia.

Specific advice included limiting comments on stories pertaining to the conflict in Lebanon and Gaza, and avoiding the conflation of Hamas with demographics like “Muslim”, “Islamic” or “Palestinian”.

“This date carries significant emotional and historical weight for many people; therefore, reporting fairly and accurately is essential when assessing the media’s influential role in shaping public opinion,” the statement said.

“As we approach the anniversary of October 7, it is crucial to ensure the manner in which publications report avoids further driving a wedge between the Australian community and maintains the country’s social cohesion.

“Prioritise accuracy, fairness, and impartiality. Avoid dehumanising language and collectively blaming an entire community for the actions of a group.”

The NSW Faith Council on Tuesday issued a plea for social cohesion, similarly endorsed by Mr Alsuleiman.

“As people of faith, we recognise that our common humanity makes us one family, and we embrace each other as brothers and sisters,” the council’s statement said.

“We acknowledge the pain many in our community are feeling due to events in the Middle East.

“We implore those who are grieving to find solace in the compassion and understanding of others, and to refrain from any words or acts which promote hate and resentment or incite violence.”

Advocates for the Jewish community could not be reached for comment due to their observance of the religious holiday Rosh Hashanah.

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni backed the call for “contextualised” reporting.

“We wholeheartedly support these principles of contextualised and ethical reporting, which assert that October 7 must not be framed in isolation from the broader reality of Israel’s 76 years of settler-colonial subjugation, illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and apartheid policy in Palestine,” Mr Mashni said.

“Media outlets that fail to adhere to these standards, and that tilt narratives in favour of the rogue state of Israel, only serve to further entrench anti-Palestinian racism and ignore the realities of decades of Israeli international law violations.”

Mr Mashni argued media outlets would be “misinforming” the public by avoiding publication of Israel’s “brazen acts of genocide and apartheid”.