(JTA) — The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office deleted a controversial tweet that used an image from a graphic beheading video released by ISIS.
After coming under widespread criticism, the office took down the hours-old tweet, which included an image of the late journalist James Wright Foley. A campaign on social media has sought to dissuade Twitter users and media outlets from disseminating either the video or images from it out of respect for Foley’s family and to deny a propaganda coup to the jihadist group ISIS, which murdered Foley.
The deleted Israeli tweet, which has been posted on BuzzFeed, juxtaposed an image, labeled “ISIS,” of Foley with his black-clad executioner with blade in hand alongside a picture, labeled “Hamas,” of a body being dragged through a street behind a motorcycle. The tweet was labeled “Hamas is ISIS. ISIS is Hamas,” repeating a statement made Wednesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A few hours later, the tweet was deleted after the Prime Minister’s Office received criticism for using the image, according to The Wall Street Journal. Shortly after midnight Friday, it was replaced by a similar tweet, supplanting the image of Foley with the ISIS logo in white against a black background.
The Prime Minister’s Office has stood by the sentiment expressed in the tweets. On Friday night, the office released a similar tweet, this time juxtaposing images of ISIS and Hamas performing public executions.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
