CNN draws criticism for focusing on mental health struggles of Israeli soldiers returning from Gaza

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - American news network CNN has drawn fierce criticism over a piece on the mental health struggles of Israeli soldiers who returned from Gaza, with critics arguing it whitewashes perpetrators of violence while minimizing Palestinian suffering.

The article, which focused on Israeli soldiers' experiences of trauma and suicide risk after returning from combat, sparked outrage from journalists, academics, and human rights advocates over its portrayal of a bulldozer operator's actions during military operations.

"It's incredible that high-level journalists approved and published that piece," said Heidi N. Moore, an independent financial columnist formerly with The Wall Street Journal and Britain’s The Guardian, calling it "a complete debacle."

Human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid questioned the article's framing, noting concerns about the identification of casualties as "terrorists" without verification. Historian Ali A. Olomi characterized the piece as attempting to generate sympathy for soldiers who had engaged in violent actions.

Jonathan Cook, winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism, criticized the piece, stating: "It tells you everything that CNN thinks the big story in the middle of a genocide is that some Israeli soldiers carrying out that genocide are being put off meat-eating."

Jehad Abusalim, executive director of the Institute for Palestine Studies, condemned Western media's approach to covering the conflict: "Western media outlets like CNN run stories that humanize these criminals by focusing on their personal struggles with trauma."

The piece also reignited debate about media responsibility in conflict coverage, with anthropologist Jason Hickel calling the framing "breathtakingly evil." Palestinian journalist Mariam Barghouti noted Israeli soldiers are "blatantly sharing their crimes not just on TikTok, but now on CNN too."

The article has generated significant social media engagement, with one critical post by American rapper and songwriter Soul Khan receiving tens of thousands of likes. He said the article "really is one of the most horrifically irresponsible pieces of journalism" he has ever seen.

Rob Delaney, an American comedian said: “You could have a fruitful lesson dissecting this piece in a journalism class. One of the more disturbing things I’ve read in the last year.”

- Users blast ‘classic propaganda’

Several X users pointed to broader concerns about media narratives.

"CNN tried to do a sympathy piece on IDF (Israeli army) soldiers and then like halfway through the article you find out this guy was a D9 bulldozer driver who regularly drove over people while they were alive," wrote X user thickyrubio, in one of many viral responses criticizing the piece.

Another user called themariosantana sarcastically wrote: "Waiting for the Netflix miniseries on these poor heroes," while @Desygn4D said: "Soon, there will be Hollywood movies about them ... I am sick of the soldiers that come home safely and are now 'tormented' by their actions."

One user, inthesamedevice, suggested "a full confession and submission to proper authorities may clear his conscience," while others dismissed the piece as "classic propaganda" and "CNN's trademark" showing sympathy for aggressors.