Judy Woodruff of PBS apologizes for saying Trump was trying to kill Israel ceasefire deal, offers clarification after outrage



Senior journalist Judy Woodruff of PBS apologized and offered a clarification after claiming that former President Donald Trump had tried to kill a ceasefire deal in the Middle East for political gain.

Woodruff was widely criticized for the comments made during a broadcast on Monday from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

'This isn’t journalism. It’s advocacy on behalf of Democrats.'

"The reporting is that former President Trump is on the phone with the Prime Minister of Israel, urging him not to cut a deal right now, because it’s believed it would help the Harris campaign," said Woodruff.

The Prime Minister's Office in Israel categorically denied the claim.

On Wednesday, she issued the clarification and apology.

“I want to clarify my remarks on the PBS News special on Monday night about the ongoing cease fire talks in the Middle East," wrote Woodruff.

"As I said, this was not based on my original reporting; I was referring to reports I had read, in Axios and Reuters, about former President Trump having spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister," she continued. "In the live TV moment, I repeated the story because I hadn't seen later reporting that both sides denied it. This was a mistake and I apologize for it.”

Woodruff had been immediately scolded for airing the unconfirmed report.

"My former colleague @JudyWoodruff knows better than to make such an electrifying statement about Trump and Netanyahu and not source…if it is true, then just source it…we can all deal w/ the truth..not to source is just gossip and not journalism..it is national enquirer," responded Greta Van Susteren of Newsmax.

"This is a lie from @JudyWoodruff - shame on @pbs for having 4 other people sit in silence while Woodruff slimes Trump with a lie," said Richard Grenell, who worked in the Trump administration. "Why doesn’t PBS have dissenting views? This isn’t journalism. It’s advocacy on behalf of Democrats. Shame on Judy."

Woodruff wasn't the only figure criticized for comments about the ceasefire at the DNC. Socialist Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was excoriated by pro-Palestinian activists for claiming that candidate Kamala Harris had been working "tirelessly" for a ceasefire.

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Despite ceasefire, fireworks thrown in NYC amid pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests: 'F*** you, Zionists!'



Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators faced off Thursday in several skirmishes in New York City, even after Israel and Hamas implemented a ceasefire agreement following 11 days of firing rockets at one another in the Middle East.

In the Big Apple, fireworks were even set off in crowds amid clashes.

What are the details?

Israel reached on agreement with Hamas militants earlier in the day to begin a ceasefire at 2 a.m. Friday, which is 7 p.m. in New York City.

But scuffles continued in the city, with footage reportedly taken afterward showing what the NYPD initially speculated might have been a "smoke bomb" being thrown at a crowd of people in the Diamond District.

Further clips showed the aftermath and people's reactions.

Warning: strong language.

Video: As the smoke cleared in NYC. (Please beware of language) https://t.co/oKdKTLfP5v

— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) 1621553909.0

Footage after the incident also shows an individual lying unresponsive on the sidewalk as NYPD officers arrive at the scene. Pro-Palestine protesters can then be seen yelling, "F*** you, Zionists!"

The NYPD told the Daily Mail that some bystanders sustained minor injuries from the device going off. The New York Post reported that "fireworks were thrown from a car" in the incident on 47th Street," but "it was unclear which side lit them."

The police later confirmed to Fox News that "two commercial fireworks" were thrown from a vehicle.

Anything else?

Several other fights broke out Thursday evening in Times Square between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters.

Fox News noted:

Pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in America's biggest cities for the last week and a half. Last Tuesday, thousands of protesters shut down traffic as they marched down 42nd Street in Manhattan.

Violence escalated around Israel at the beginning of last week, with Hamas firing a reported 4,000 rockets and the Israeli air force launching airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip.

Today, New York City marched for Palestine. It was a gigantic march, extending down 42nd street, with thousands cha… https://t.co/bJ2zYdjd7g

— Andy Ratto (@andyratto) 1620785307.0

Israel, Hamas reportedly agree to ceasefire beginning at 2 a.m. Friday



An end to the violent 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip appears to be imminent as reports surfaced Thursday afternoon that Israel's security cabinet had unanimously approved a ceasefire.

The two sides were said to be ironing out specific details Thursday on when the ceasefire would be implemented and for how long, and now multiple reports indicate that it will begin at 2 a.m. local time (or 7 p.m. ET Thursday).

Channel 12 News in Israel indicated that the ceasefire was mediated through discussions with neighboring country, Egypt, and that the two sides had come to an agreement on halting the military attacks. Though Israel reportedly made it clear that the ceasefire is subject to full cooperation from Hamas.

"According to sources who attended the cabinet meeting, the [Israel Defense Forces] will immediately cease its attacks in the Gaza Strip. If Hamas continues to fire, the IDF will return to attack and the ceasefire will be canceled immediately," the outlet reported.

A Hamas official reportedly told Reuters the ceasefire will be "mutual and simultaneous."

The development comes following reports Wednesday that the two sides were hopeful a ceasefire could be reached, even as airstrikes and rocket fire continued on in the region.

"I think that the ongoing efforts regarding the ceasefire will succeed," Hamas political official Moussa Abu Marzouk said Wednesday. "I expect a ceasefire to be reached within a day or two, and the ceasefire will be on the basis of mutual agreement."

President Joe Biden — who had voiced support for Israel's right to defend themselves to the ire of some progressive lawmakers within the Democratic Party — had ramped up pressure on Israeli leaders to end the fighting in recent days.

Over the course of 11 days of intense fighting, hundreds of rockets have been fired at Israel from Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Many were successfully intercepted by the country's acclaimed Iron Dome defense system, however, some breached the barrier and struck civilian areas. In response, Israel returned fire.

In all, at least 12 Israelis, including two children, and at least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, have died as a result of the conflict.

Breaking: Israel and Hamas militants reportedly agree to ceasefire



The deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas militants will be coming to an end after a ceasefire was reportedly reached between the two parties.

The ceasefire was reported by Channel 12 News in Israel on Wednesday.

A senior Hamas official appeared to confirm the news during an interview on Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV according to Reuters.

"I think that the ongoing efforts regarding the ceasefire will succeed," said Hamas political official Moussa Abu Marzouk.

"I expect a ceasefire to be reached within a day or two, and the ceasefire will be on the basis of mutual agreement," he added.

The conflict has been raging for ten days during which hundreds of rockets have been fired at Israel from militants in the Gaza Strip. While the nation's vaunted Iron Dome defense system was able to intercept most of the rockets, some were able to slip past onto civilian areas. Palestinians and their allies also rioted and attacked Israelis in several cities across the country.

Israeli authorities say 12 deaths have been documented from the conflict, while on the Palestinian side officials say 228 have perished.

Critics of Israel in the U.S. were angered greatly when President Joe Biden said in a statement that Israel had a right to defend itself against such rocket attacks. Among those was the only Palestinian-American in Congress, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who confronted Biden as he arrived in Michigan to tour a Ford plant.

Earlier on Wednesday the White House said in a readout between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the president had made it clear he expected "significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."

Here's more about the Israel Palestinian conflict:

THIS is why America's far-left 'GLORIFIES' Palestinians in the Israel conflictwww.youtube.com