Foreign Ministry: 'Coordinated media bias turns news into politics'

The Foreign Ministry accused international media outlets of abandoning journalism and engaging in politics, following a study that revealed overwhelming bias in coverage of Operation Rising Lion.

“When 150 media outlets choose in a synchronized manner to stop reporting news, to throw values of the press and plurality of opinions into the trash, and instead publish a uniform, pre-scripted political manifesto against Israel - that tells you how great the bias against Israel is in the global media,” the Ministry stated. “The reports we see in the global media regarding Gaza do not tell the real story there. They tell the campaign of lies that Hamas spreads. This is not journalism. This is politics.”

The comments came after the Jewish People Policy Institute released a study analyzing seventeen leading international news sites, with a combined reach of over two billion visitors last June. The research, conducted using artificial intelligence tools, examined how the legality of military actions during the fighting was covered.

Findings showed that 77% of the coverage focused on Israel, while only 23% addressed Iran—even though Iran carried out systematic attacks against civilians. Major outlets such as CNN and The New York Times dedicated about three-quarters of their legal analysis to the IDF, while on Al Jazeera English the figure rose to 92%.

The focus on Israel continued throughout nearly the entire 12 days of fighting, including days when Iranian missiles struck civilian centers, academic institutions, and Soroka Hospital. Despite Iran’s use of cluster munitions—prohibited under international law—coverage largely centered on accusations against Israel.

Researchers also found that Iranian officials using “legal rhetoric” were quoted far more often than Israeli officials explaining the legality of the IDF’s actions. The study warned that repeated use of terms such as “war crimes” and “violations of international law” creates a negative framing that strengthens international delegitimization campaigns.

The Institute recommended that Israel publish official legal reports at the start of each round of fighting, increase the use of legal language by state officials, and expand its digital presence to highlight the legality of IDF operations while exposing enemy violations.

Dr. Robert Neufeld, one of the authors, concluded: “The findings show a clear bias in media coverage: Israel is examined under a legal magnifying glass, while Iran, which has carried out systematic shootings on a civilian population, is treated leniently. A smarter use of legal rhetoric and stronger presence in the international arena are essential to the struggle for consciousness.”