In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, confrontations between protestors and journalists continue to escalate in the West Bank city of Ramallah. CNN reporter Sara Sidner was accosted by furious Palestinian protesters while reporting live from the scene. The confrontation, which was caught on camera and aired on “CNN This Morning,” showed a man getting in Sidner’s face, screaming expletives, and accusing CNN of being “genocide supporters.”
Sidner had been reporting on the Palestinian protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, sparked by a Hamas terrorist attack on the Israeli border. Despite wearing a helmet and safety vest, she was not immune to the tense environment surrounding her. As she spoke about the solidarity among Arab nations in support of Palestine, a man wearing a scarf and green sweatshirt jumped in between Sidner and her producers, appearing to be agitated and determined to disrupt her reporting.
The man, who has yet to be identified, charged at Sidner and began yelling at her, accusing her and her network of supporting genocide. He repeatedly yelled “F— CNN!” and pointed a finger close to her face. Sidner remained calm and composed throughout the confrontation, delivering her report despite the interrupting and aggressive behavior of the man.
Moments later, Sidner’s security team intervened and pulled her away from the man and the growing crowd. Adhering to the dangers of the situation, Sidner made sure to keep her team safe and ensured everyone that they were okay. She reported on the intense emotions of the protestors and the underlying frustration they felt regarding the media’s coverage of the war.
Looks like the West Bank isn’t too fond of CNN either. pic.twitter.com/M9Eltpe7lP
— NewsBusters (@newsbusters) October 23, 2023
The incident has caused an uproar on social media, with many people praising Sidner for her professionalism and composure during the confrontation. CNN contributor and “The View” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin took to Twitter to commend Sidner, stating, “Just incredible composure and poise from the incredible @sarasidnerCNN. Thank you for your incredible reporting.”
With tensions running high on both sides of the conflict, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that reporters face in war zones and areas of political turmoil. Sidner’s dedication to delivering the news in the face of such intense hostility is a testament to the bravery and resilience of journalists around the world.
As the Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate, it is important for media outlets to acknowledge the risks involved in reporting from the frontlines. The safety and well-being of journalists should be a top priority in any situation, and we must commend reporters like Sara Sidner for their unwavering commitment to delivering the truth to the public.
