Misinformation on social networks: false accusations against Palestinian victims
Since the start of the conflict in Gaza, social networks have been the scene of much disinformation. Among these, pro-Israeli Internet users claim to have spotted false Palestinian victims of Israeli bombings. These baseless accusations aim to discredit the Palestinians and minimize the devastating effects of the war.
One of these false accusations concerns Palestinian internet user Saleh al-Jafarawi. He is accused of being an “actor” financed by Hamas, and of having simulated injuries in the hospital in one video, then of appearing unharmed in another video in the streets of Gaza. However, a thorough check shows that these accusations are completely unfounded.
The footage purporting to show Saleh al-Jafarawi in hospital was wrongly dated October 25, when it is actually a video dating from August 2023. This footage shows a young Palestinian having actually lost his leg and not Saleh al-Jafarawi. TikTok videos and an article from an NGO confirm this information.
Despite the deletion of tweets from the official account of the State of Israel which had relayed the misinformation, it continues to circulate on social networks. Pro-Israeli and anti-Palestinian accounts are still relaying it, accumulating millions of views and reinforcing disinformation.
This disinformation, known as “Pallywood”, is a theory used for several years to discredit Palestinians and question their suffering in the face of Israeli attacks. It is important to remain vigilant against these misinformation and to verify the information before sharing it.
The war in Gaza is tragic enough without the need to invent false accusations. It is crucial to respect the suffering of those affected by this conflict and to promote truth and justice for all victims, regardless of their side.
In conclusion, false accusations against Palestinian victims are a form of disinformation that aims to discredit the Palestinian cause. It is essential to remain critical and vigilant regarding information shared on social networks and to check sources before sharing anything. Promoting truth and justice is the key to a fairer understanding of this complex conflict.