Unmasking the Accuser: The Jerusalem Post's Dubious Attack on MintPress News

A Flimsy Accusation

In December 2023, the Jerusalem Post, through "counter-extremism expert" Nicholas Potter, launched an attack on MintPress News, labeling it part of a foreign-funded network pushing disinformation and antisemitism. The irony drips thick, considering the Post's own history of publishing extremist and genocidal rhetoric towards Palestinians and Arabs. The accusation is not only false but also particularly rich coming from Potter, a German national whose position at the Post is directly funded by the German government.

Dissecting the "Evidence"

The Post's article took issue with MintPress investigations exposing the intertwined relationship between U.S. media, the pro-Israel lobby, and Israeli intelligence. These investigations revealed the presence of numerous former Israel lobbyists and Unit 8200 agents in prominent positions within American corporate media, highlighting a significant conflict of interest.

Dismissing MintPress's meticulously documented findings as "flimsy," the Post misrepresented the evidence, reducing concrete examples of deep influence to mere "brief internships." In reality, the investigations detailed a vast network of connections, including, for example, a former IDF intelligent commander serving as an MSNBC executive producer.

The "Spy" Who Came in From the News

Potter took exception to MintPress's use of the term "spy" to describe Unit 8200 agents, despite major media outlets, including the Jerusalem Post itself, routinely referring to the unit as a spy agency. This apparent contradiction further underscores the weakness of the Post's critique.

Manufacturing Outrage

Rather than engaging with the substance of MintPress's reporting, the Post resorted to accusations of peddling "disinformation, conspiracy theories, and antisemitic narratives." These claims, including the suggestion that MintPress was propagating the "Jews control the media" trope, are baseless and directly contradicted by MintPress's own published statements.

The Post's attempt to connect MintPress with antisemitism by citing cartoons critical of Israeli policy is equally disingenuous. MintPress's consistent use of the Israeli flag, rather than the Star of David, in its cartoons demonstrates a clear distinction between critiques of Israeli state policy and attacks on Judaism.

Who Funds Whom?

The Post's insinuation that MintPress receives funding from foreign governments is another unfounded allegation, contradicted by the Post's own acknowledgment of MintPress's public fundraising efforts. The irony here is that the Post's "experts" on disinformation hail from the Atlantic Council, NATO's think tank, heavily funded by Western governments and militaries.

The Real Extremists

While Potter accuses others of extremism, he seems oblivious to the Jerusalem Post's own history of publishing calls for the extermination and displacement of Palestinians, as well as the annexation of neighboring territories. This hypocrisy raises серьезные questions about Potter's credibility and motivations.

State-Sponsored Smears

The picture becomes even more troubling when considering Potter's own connections to the German government through his fellowship and his position at a German publication. This, coupled with the Jerusalem Post's leadership's ties to the Israeli government and military, exposes the accusations against MintPress as state-sponsored smears aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

The Antideutsche Paradox

Potter's affiliation with the Antideutsche movement, a German left-wing tendency that zealously supports Israel, further sheds light on his motivations. This ideology, which views any criticism of Israel as potentially antisemitic, ironically leads to the targeting of individuals and groups critical of Israeli policies, including German Jews.

The Price of Truth

The attacks on MintPress and other independent media outlets are a testament to their effectiveness in challenging the narratives of powerful states and corporate media. By exposing the complicity of establishment media in perpetuating war and imperialism, these alternative voices threaten the status quo and are therefore subject to relentless suppression and defamation.

As the saying goes, "the louder they scream, the closer you are to the target." The very fact that MintPress has drawn the ire of the Jerusalem Post suggests that its investigations have struck a nerve, resonating with a wide audience and exposing uncomfortable truths.