5 Mistakes Journalists Should Avoid When Covering Pro-Palestinian Protests

I’m a proud Jewish Harris/Walz delegate from Maryland. During the Clinton Administration I had the honor of serving as an official spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee. After 9/11, I dedicated much of my career to Middle East issues. Today I am a full-time climate activist, and Maryland Climate Commissioner. However, I still follow what is going on in Israel and Gaza very closely.

As we approach the DNC Convention, I’ve noticed increased coverage of protests by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and I am certain that the demonstrations that will take place at the convention will be widely reported on. While many protesters have genuine concerns that I share, others may have questionable motives or connections. As someone who deeply cares about the future of both Palestinians and Israelis – and wants peace for everyone in the region – I’d like to offer some tips for covering these events responsibly.

Here are 5 mistakes that journalists should avoid when covering pro-Palestinian protests at the Democratic National Convention:

1) Assuming Democrats are Either Pro-Israel or Pro-Palestinian

The Biden-Harris-Walz team has a well-documented record of supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. They are working to get the hostages released. At the same time, they are deeply committed to alleviating the suffering of innocent Palestinians and working toward a ceasefire. The false dichotomy that Democrats must be either pro-Israel or pro-Palestinian oversimplifies the nuanced positions held by our Administration, the Harris/Walz ticket and our party. Democrats recognize the humanity of all people, regardless of identity, and are committed to peace and security for all innocent people.

2) Treating All Protesters as Having the Same Goals

It’s crucial to recognize the diversity of motives among protesters. For instance:

• Some have legitimate concerns for the safety of loved ones in Gaza.
• Others might be influenced by foreign entities aiming to destabilize the election process.
• Certain groups could be attempting to undermine the Harris/Walz ticket to benefit Trump.
• Some participants see this as part of broader allyship with various social justice movements.
• Some are working hard for a two-state solution where all people have a better future.
• Unfortunately, some harbor antisemitic or anti-Zionist sentiments, supporting dangerous extremist agendas.

3) Misunderstanding the Line Between Free Speech and Hate Speech

While freedom of speech is a core American value, certain rhetoric crosses the line into hate speech. Phrases like “globalization of the intifada” or “from the River to the Sea” are often coded calls for the elimination of Israel and its Jewish population. It’s essential to distinguish between legitimate criticism and expressions that incite violence or hatred.

4) Confusing support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government with support for Israel and Israelis. Ditto that supporting innocent Palestinians is the same as supporting Hamas.

Polls and protests have long shown that the majority of Israelis and American Jews would enthusiastically welcome new elections and leaders in Israel. Meanwhile, Palestinians in both Gaza and West Bank have suffered dramatically from leaders who did not have their best futures at heart. This includes the ongoing use by Hamas of their own people as civilian shields. The truth on the ground is much more nuanced than the majority of the protesters are aware of.

4) Overestimating the Importance of Israel-Gaza Issues to the Average Voter

While the Israel-Gaza conflict is deeply personal for many, especially those with connections to the region, polling consistently and overwhelmingly shows that most Americans are more concerned with domestic issues such as the economy, women’s rights, healthcare, climate change and immigration. For the vast majority of voters, these kitchen table issues will drive their decisions at the polls, rather than foreign policy.

I have close personal ties to both Israelis and Palestinians. My friend Jon Polin’s son, Hersh (age 23) is one of the Americans being held hostage by Hamas. Keith Siegel, who I shared childhood experiences with when we grew up in North Carolina, is also an American being held by Hamas. That, plus my experience of over a decade of work on Middle East peace efforts, including more than two dozen visits to the region, including to Ramallah and Gaza, is an indication of the tremendous concern and interest I have for these issues. Yet, within our Democratic National Committee delegate group of nearly 5,000, very few share this deep connection to the conflict compared to other issues at the heart of this election.

I care deeply about fighting antisemitism and hate crimes of all kind. I want Israel — and its neighbors — to not only survive, but thrive. I want Iran’s nuclear program and the terrorism of Iran’s proxies to stop. I know the Harris/Walz team is at work on those issues as well. But it’s important to note that for most American voters, the need to protect Democracy and women’s rights, seriously confront climate change, stop out of control gun violence, deal with the economy and other issues are closer to home.

There is an old proverb about living in “interesting times”. Well, we certainly are in them.

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi with then Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. If Hamas and Abbas had listened to PM Fayyad, there would have been a Palestinian state years ago. (Image courtesy of JLM)

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi with then Israeli President Shimon Peres. Peres also served as Israel’s Prime Minister and earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to create a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Photo courtesy of JLM.