In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Rania Batrice and analyst Krystal Ball look at the controversy surrounding allegations of widespread and systematic sexual assault by Hamas on October 7th. This conversation does not ask “was there or wasn’t there sexual assault on October 7?” Rather, it focuses on the harm caused by biased media reports and the absence of independent and thorough investigations. The podcast discusses how the narratives promulgated by mainstream US media - most notably the 12/28/23 New York Times front-page article entitled "Screams Without Words: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on October 7th" - have contributed to the dehumanization of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, and the politicization of what should be a serious demand for professional investigation and accountability for the crimes of October 7th.

Krystal Ball is the host of Breaking Points, a former MSNBC contributor and former Democratic nominee for Congress in the First District of Virginia.

Rania Batrice is an activist and strategist for progressive change, a public relations specialist, and a political consultant. She is one of FMEP's 2024 Palestinian non-resident Fellows. 

Relevant Articles: 

Krystal Ball, 3/5/24, on the UN Report released on 3/4/24: UN Report CAN'T Prove 10/7 Mass Sex Assault Claims

Krystal Ball 3/5/24, Local Israelis DEBUNK NYT Sexual Assault Allegation - video clip

Krystal Ball 2/29/24 on the New York Times 12/28/23 story, ““'Screams Without Words': How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7.” - video clip

CNN 3/1/24: The New York Times stands by its reporting on the Hamas terror attack after questions are raised

The Nation 3/1/24: The Nixonian New York Times Stonewalls on a Discredited Article About Hamas and Rape - The newspaper of record botches an important story about sexual violence on October 7.

The Wrap 2/29/24: New York Times Opens Leak Investigation Over Israel-Gaza Reporting

Jacobin 2/29/24: The New York Times Has an Ugly Anti-Palestinian Bias

Vanity Fair 2/29/24: New York Times Launches Leak Investigation Over Report on Its Israel-Gaza Coverage

The Intercept 2/28/24: “Between the Hammer and the Anvil” -The Story Behind the New York Times October 7 Exposé

Al Jazeera 2/28/24: Food blogger, Israeli film director scripted Hamas rape story for NYT

Daily Beast 2/25/24: New York Times ‘Reviewing’ Reporter Who Liked Gaza ‘Slaughterhouse’ Tweet

Common Dreams 2/26/24: NYT 'Reviewing' Israeli Reporter Who Liked Gaza 'Slaughterhouse' Post

Mondoweiss 2/25/24: Extraordinary charges of bias emerge against NYTimes reporter Anat Schwartz

The Intercept 1/28/24: New York Times Puts “Daily” Episode on Ice Amid Internal Firestorm Over Hamas Sexual Violence Article

Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.