Two notable developments unfolded last week. The first was Reuters admitting- an entire week after the fact- that it had published a misleading report about Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s statements during his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The report had sparked a baseless controversy, but there was no real reaction.
The second was the statement of Hamas official Osama Hamdan. He said that the fall of Bashar al-Assad was among the setbacks endured by the so-called "Resistance Axis” but that these losses could be compensated. After Hamdan’s remarks got the criticism they deserved, especially from Syrians, Hamas responded through its supporters. But how?
Of course, neither Hamdan nor Hamas issued an apology. Instead, a disinformation social media campaign quickly emerged. Hamdan was merely reading from a paper, it was claimed, with insinuations that he had been pressured to say what he did. Others falsely claimed that his remarks had been taken out of context despite having been recorded on video.
With regard to this Hamas episode, one need only ask its leaders (any of them) or even its supporters what they think of Qasem Soleimani and Hassan Nasrallah. This question is enough to understand that these shameful positions are a feature, not a bug, and that anyone hoping to reform the movement is delusional.
But that’s not really the point. The real issue, here, is the need to address the ongoing campaign of lies, or what I have been calling "news laundering" since 2009. Much like money laundering or whitewashing, this is a widespread practice, especially among those who claim to be part of the "resistance."
One particularly notable deception campaign launched following the losses suffered by the "adventurist axis" and the Assad regime, is the claim that Lebanon is now under the tutelage of the US. That is a lie. Lebanon was under Iranian tutelage, and it is now merely seeking a back into the fold of the international community, which follows a set of laws and regulations.
Being part of this system entails commitments to share intelligence, take control of borders (including airports), curb money laundering and human trafficking, and restrict the movement of terrorist groups and individuals, among many other obligations.
Going back to Hamas, its claim to victory is among its most prominent lies. This assertion is not merely delusional. Rather, it is a narrative designed to justify Hamas’ continued rule in Gaza and to ensure that it receives the funds that will be sent to rebuild the Strip. If you were to ask them how the victor could possibly be in need of reconstruction aid, they would brand you a heretic, a traitor, and vilify you in every possible way.
Another lie, an old but persistent claim, is that Iran has a strategic project, whereas the Arab world does not. Has anyone noticed that the US and Russia recently met to defuse the world’s most dangerous conflicts on Saudi soil? Here, you will not get an answer; instead, you will be met with evasion and misdirection.
A third or perhaps fourth lie- count them as you wish- is the claim that Syria has become a playground for the Israelis after Assad fled. Where is Ahmad al-Sharaa, and why has he done nothing for the fight against Israel? Ask those making such claims how many times Israel bombed Assad’s regime, Iranian forces, and Hezbollah across Syria last year alone. How many times was Damascus Airport shut down as a result?
Better yet: Who drew Israel deeper into the region if not Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s militias? Of course, you won’t get an answer.
The ultimate irony, however, is that institutions funded to the tune of billions of dollars- along with academics, intellectuals, journalists, actors, actresses, and self-proclaimed religious figures- are the ones spreading and promoting these lies in an attempt to mislead the public.
That is just the tip of the iceberg. The broader discourse includes claims so absurd they could turn your hair grey.
