The Project is slammed for ‘sugar coating’ the pro-Palestinian protest outside Sydney Opera House
The Channel Ten Project has been heavily criticized for its coverage of a pro-Palestinian protest following a Hamas attack on Israel.
The entertainment news program reported on Monday night’s protest outside the Sydney Opera House, where pro-Palestinian participants chanted “shut up the Jews” and burned a Star of David, while a counter-protester was removed for flying an Israeli flag.
After a segment reporting on the protest and its anti-Semitic elements, panelists on The Project read a statement from the protest’s organizers, the Palestine Action Group Sydney, who claimed there was a fringe element of the crowd who chanted hateful rhetoric and were allegedly later silenced.
Project co-leader Walid Ali said that while they could not confirm the organizers’ claims, other recent protests had also had rogue protesters expressing hateful views.
But commentators on the program’s social media posts accused it of downplaying the anti-Semitism displayed at the demonstrations.
Social media users attacked Channel Ten’s The Project over their coverage of the Palestinian protest in Tuesday night’s episode of the show. Pictured is co-host Georgie Tunni
Panelists at the Project read a statement from the protest organisers, the Palestine Action Group Sydney, who claimed there was a fringe element of the crowd who chanted hateful rhetoric. Pictured from left: Sam Taunton, Waleed Ali, Georgie Tunney, Kate Langbrook
Former Married At First Sight groom Dean Wells responded to the project segment on his Instagram Stories with a picture of the report’s headline that read: “Rally Taken.
In the title of his story, he wrote: “Downloaded? I’ll play the raw footage in the next frame. You tell me if it looks like the whole crowd is in on it or if it’s taken over by a small group of extremists.’
In the next story, Wells shared footage from a protest with pro-Palestinian protesters chanting “fuck the Jews” repeatedly.
Project co-leader Walid Ali (pictured left) said that while they could not confirm the organizers’ claims, other recent protests had also had rogue protesters expressing hateful views.
Meanwhile, on X, formerly Twitter, responses to the Project segment claimed the program had “sugar coated” the event.
“Don’t try to sugarcoat this to make it look good.” Typical mainstream media. They also hate Australia. Kick them out,” one angry user replied.
“Disgusting, don’t even try to sugarcoat it,” wrote another.
Former Married At First Sight groom Dean Wells responded to the project segment on his Instagram Stories with a picture of the report’s headline that read, ‘Rally Taken.’ ‘Taken over? I’ll play the raw footage in the next frame. Tell me if it looks like the whole crowd is into it or if it’s taken over by a small group of extremists
In a follow-up story, Wells shared footage from a protest with pro-Palestinian protesters repeatedly chanting ‘fuck the Jews’
Another user X suggested that the program should look into the matter further, saying ‘”We can’t verify this” and then maybe don’t share it – and do what journalists are supposed to do and investigate FFS.’
The “horrific” scenes were strongly condemned by leaders from across the political spectrum.
Attorney-General Michael Daley – NSW’s most senior law officer – admitted he was unaware of the protest in a road crash interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Tuesday morning, before urgently backpedaling and urging people to ‘keep calm and stay put’ at home’ .
Meanwhile, on X, formerly Twitter, responses to the Project segment claimed the program had “sugar coated” the event. “Don’t try to sugarcoat this to make it look good.” Typical mainstream media. They also hate Australia. Throw them out,” responded one angry user on X. “Disgusting, don’t even try to sugarcoat it,” wrote another
Another user X suggested that the program should look into the matter further, saying “We can’t verify this” and then maybe not share it – and do what journalists are supposed to do and investigate FFS
Police are now under fire for allowing the rally to take place – while telling Australian Jews to ‘stay home’ for their own safety.
The rally, organized by Palestine Action Group Sydney, saw a large number of pro-Palestinian activists gather at City Hall in Sydney’s CBD on Monday night before marching to the Opera House, flying blue and white floats in support of Israel.
In the end, the sails were only briefly lit and in muted colors.
There were scenes of chaos as the demonstration was hijacked by radical Muslims – some wearing black masks – who threw lighted flares at police and shouted ‘fuck Israel’ and ‘fuck the Jews’ under the steps of the Opera House (pictured)
Israeli supporters mostly stayed away, with some watching the lighting from the other side of Circular Quay.
There were scenes of mayhem at the Opera House as the demonstration was hijacked by radical Muslims – some wearing black masks – who threw lighted flares at police and shouted ‘fuck Israel’ and ‘fuck the Jews’ from under the steps of the portside landmark.
At one point there were even chants of “stomp on the Jews”.
The rally, organized by Palestine Action Group Sydney, saw a large number of pro-Palestinian activists gather at City Hall in Sydney’s CBD before marching to the Opera House
Daily Mail Australia witnessed a large crowd of men using firecrackers to try to set fire to the Israeli flag before knocking it down and tearing it to shreds.
Shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great in Arabic) and ‘death to the Jews’ rang out as some members of the crowd rushed towards the police barrier, waving torn pieces of the Israeli flag – despite rally organizers urging protesters to respect the police.
Over 100 policemen formed a ring of steel along the steps of the Opera House and did not intervene when rockets or other projectiles were thrown at them.
Instead, they placed lit torches in buckets of water as acrid smoke filled the air.
On Tuesday morning, Assistant Commissioner Tony Cook said police were looking at CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the rocket launchers.
“I’m very disappointed in the strongest possible terms that people have felt it necessary to use missiles and what not,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
Daily Mail Australia witnessed a large crowd of men using firecrackers to try to set fire to the Israeli flag before resorting to stamping and ripping it to shreds (pictured)