Seattle Media Criticized for Ignoring Antisemitic Chants at October 7 Anniversary March

Key points

• Protesters marched from Cal Anderson Park to Seattle Central College, chanting slogans celebrating the October 7 attack and displaying flags with images of Hamas operatives.
• Local news outlets, including FOX 13 and KIRO 7, covered the event primarily as a pro-Palestinian demonstration, noting traffic closures and one theft arrest, but did not emphasize the antisemitic rhetoric.
• Jason Rantz of Seattle Red argued that major Seattle media ignored the hate march, contrasting it with the coverage of smaller anti-ICE protests and citing a lack of substantive reporting from KING 5 and the Seattle Times.
• The Seattle Police Department reported tagging and property damage along the route, stating that officers identified suspects but made only one arrest as of Thursday.
• Critics noted that Bennett Haselton was accosted after holding a sign asking protesters to rally for Palestine rather than October 7, and that Jewish businesses were targeted during the march.

Background

This event occurred on the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack, which killed over 1,200 people in Israel and led to a war in Gaza that has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides. Previous coverage from our archive indicates that similar pro-Palestinian rallies took place in New York and London around the same date, with London police urging organizers to reschedule events to protect Jewish students. The current Seattle incident follows a pattern of rising antisemitic incidents reported since 2023, with local authorities and community groups increasingly concerned about the safety of Jewish residents and institutions.

How outlets are covering it

FOX 13 Seattle and KIRO 7 News Seattle reported the event as a pro-Palestinian protest, focusing on the logistical aspects such as road closures, the movement of the crowd onto Seattle Central College grounds, and the police response to property damage. They noted that organizers were highlighting the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the US-Iran war. In contrast, Jason Rantz of Seattle Red characterized the event as an antisemitic hate march, criticizing the local media for treating it as a mere traffic advisory. Rantz pointed to specific chants and flags as evidence of support for Hamas, arguing that the media's silence reflected a bias against reporting on antisemitism. Al Jazeera covered a separate protest in Colombia on the same date, focusing on diplomatic relations with Israel, but did not address the Seattle event. The divergence in perspectives highlights a significant gap in how different outlets define and report on protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, with some emphasizing the political cause and others focusing on the rhetoric and symbols used by participants.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the ongoing tension in Seattle between free speech protections and the reporting of hate speech, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The lack of coverage by major local media outlets has sparked a debate about journalistic standards and the responsibility to report on antisemitic incidents. The police response, including the single arrest and identification of suspects for property damage, may influence future decisions on how to handle similar protests and the balance between public order and the right to demonstrate. This event also reflects broader national and international trends, where protests on the anniversary of October 7 have led to clashes and safety concerns in multiple cities, including New York and London.

What to watch

The Seattle Police Department has indicated that they will make arrests for property damage when it is safe to do so, suggesting that further legal actions may follow. Community groups and Jewish organizations are likely to continue monitoring the situation and may call for stronger responses to antisemitic incidents. The media debate may lead to increased scrutiny of how local outlets cover protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, potentially influencing future editorial policies. Additionally, the incident may prompt discussions in Seattle City Council and with local leaders about the safety of Jewish residents and the handling of hate speech in public demonstrations.