Jewish Chronicle investigating journalist accused of publishing disinformation about Gaza war
The British Jewish newspaper the Jewish Chronicle says it is investigating one of its freelance writers amid allegations that he fabricated claims regarding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Earlier this month, the outlet published an article by writer Elon Perry in which he alleged that a document had been uncovered in Gaza proving that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning to smuggle himself and some of the remaining Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, out of Gaza via the Philadelphi Corridor and from there to Iran.
However, the IDF said it was unaware of any such document actually existing, and as the claim was similar to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent talking points, some have speculated that false information was being distributed as part of a disinformation campaign.
In a statement, the Jewish Chronicle says it is “aware of allegations concerning a freelance journalist, which we take very seriously.”
‘The Jewish Chronicle is the oldest Jewish newspaper in the world and has always maintained the highest standards of reporting and integrity. An investigation is underway and there will be an update in due course,” it adds.
Left-wing online news outlet +972 Magazine reports that there are also doubts surrounding the veracity of Perry’s claims regarding his career.
Perry states on his own website that he served as a commando soldier during Operation Entebbe, and that he was a professor at Tel Aviv University for 15 years — yet according to the +972, there are no records of him having done either of these things.