Israel’s ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, has launched a scathing critique of Al Jazeera, accusing the media network of functioning as a propaganda tool in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides and continues to draw global attention as it escalates.

During an interview on October 9, on Joy News’ PM Express, Ambassador Gilad stated unequivocally that “Al Jazeera is far from being a reliable source”, claiming that the network is being used as part of Hamas’ broader campaign against Israel.

He alleged that “Hamas is fighting with weapons, and Al Jazeera is fighting through the media”, suggesting that the news outlet’s coverage is aligned with the interests of Qatar, a country he claims is financially backing both Hamas and the network.

“Al Jazeera: A Media Arm for Hamas?”

Ambassador Gilad’s comments came in response to questions about Israel’s military campaign and the role of the media in covering the conflict. He insisted that Al Jazeera’s reporting is not only biased but deliberately misleading, accusing the network of serving Hamas’ interests in the war.

“Al Jazeera are part of the war. They are part of the campaign, the media campaign,” Gilad emphasized, asserting that the outlet’s broadcasts support Hamas’ efforts against Israel.

“It is, by all means, not a reliable source. It is not an objective source. They declared time and again that they are actually a part of the campaign.”

He went on to explain that his views were informed by his fluency in Arabic and regular consumption of Al Jazeera’s broadcasts.

“I watch Jazeera often. I speak Arabic very well. I’m watching them day in and day out. It is not a media source. It is not a news source, it is a propaganda machine,” he said, doubling down on his claims that Al Jazeera is complicit in spreading Hamas’ agenda.

Casualties in a Complex Conflict

The war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, has led to thousands of deaths.

According to recent reports, over 8,000 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the conflict began.

The densely populated Gaza Strip, home to over two million people, has borne the brunt of Israeli airstrikes aimed at eliminating Hamas militants embedded within civilian areas.

Ambassador Gilad defended Israel’s military actions, acknowledging the difficulty in distinguishing between civilians and terrorists due to Hamas’ tactics of blending in with the population.

“When you conduct a campaign in which you try to bring down 40,000 terrorists that are hiding behind the population of 2 million citizens in an area which is 204 square kilometres, I don’t think we could have done a better job,” he said.

While admitting that journalists, including those from Al Jazeera, have been killed in the crossfire, Gilad justified Israel’s actions as part of its right to defend itself.

He likened Israel’s war on terror to African countries battling terrorist groups like Boko Haram and Al Shabaab.

“There is no difference whatsoever between the wars that Israel conducts on so many fronts and the wars that so many African governments are conducting,” he stated, drawing parallels between Israel’s challenges and those faced by countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

“Qatar’s Radical Agenda”

A central part of Ambassador Gilad’s argument was his assertion that Al Jazeera is funded by Qatar, which he described as having a “radical agenda.”

According to him, the network echoes Qatar’s stance and agenda in its coverage of the conflict, which he said compromises its credibility as an impartial news source.

“They [Al Jazeera] are financed by Qatar, and their activities are forbidden not only in Israel but also in Egypt, Jordan, and many other states,” he stated.

“They are known to echo the agenda of Qatar, to echo some very radical agenda.”

The ambassador’s critique underscores the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, where Qatar has long been accused by some countries of supporting Hamas and other Islamist movements.

Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

Throughout the interview, Ambassador Gilad reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against what he described as relentless attacks by Hamas. He argued that Hamas militants operate under the cover of civilian populations, complicating Israel’s military operations and leading to civilian casualties.

“All of them are terrorists, but they don’t put on uniforms to show that they are terrorists. At night, they are attacking us; during the day, they simply go among the population,” he explained, justifying Israel’s military strategy in Gaza.

The ambassador’s remarks come as the international community grapples with the humanitarian toll of the conflict.

While some have called for a ceasefire and increased diplomatic efforts, Israel maintains that it will continue its campaign against Hamas until the group is dismantled.