Sara Sidner, co-anchor of the morning edition of CNN News Central, was reporting live from the West Bank city of Ramallah when she was confronted by a rage-filled man who was certainly no fan of her network.
“You are genocide supporters. You are not welcome here, genocide supporters,” the man said, angrily interrupting a live broadcast. “F*ck CNN! F*ck CNN! Genocide supporters.”
Security quickly stepped in and removed Sidner, who was wearing a heavy-duty helmet and bulletproof vest, from the volatile scene.
CNN’s Sara Sidner is accosted by a person in the West Bank, who screams at her: “You are genocide supporters! You are not welcome here! Genocide supporters! Fuck CNN! Fuck CNN!” pic.twitter.com/GMyKVsMPlK
— The Recount (@therecount) October 20, 2023
Par for the course, the CNN reporter seemed to excuse the Muslim man’s aggressive behavior directed at her.
“We’re fine,” Sidner said, after being separated from the potential danger. “But what you are seeing is the heightened fear, anger, frustration with what is happening in general.”
The reporter has an extensive history of covering the Israel-Hamas conflict, as seen from Variety:
“Sidner is a former international correspondent who has lived in the region and covered Israel and Gaza for years, dating back to 2014. She was part of a team that won a Peabody award for CNN’s coverage of the Arab Spring, and has been recognized in the past for work done in Libya while reporting in the midst of rebel fighters during the fall of Tripoli. In 2011 Sidner shared the Achievement of the Year Award from SKY WFTV Women in Film & Television in the United Kingdom for her war coverage in Libya.”
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from Twitter:
Holy crap, I’m suddenly pro-Palestinian. Hahahah f*ck CNN!! Hahahahahahaha
— Jay Collinwood (@collinwood_j) October 20, 2023
I’m sure she was impressed with the sophisticated arguments screamed at her by the West Bank inhabitants. Everyone needs a just peace but the Palestinians have proven that they will never accept one. I don’t understand such self-destructive actions.
— Doug Figgins (@Dougf43) October 20, 2023
You play with scorpions, you get stung.
— Louise Bartels (@BartelsBartels5) October 20, 2023
CNN getting a taste of their own medicine?
When even the people you’re ‘reporting’ on despise you, maybe it’s time for a reality check
— John (@johnEiid) October 20, 2023
CNN somehow manages to piss the entire world off.
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 20, 2023
Something that can unite us all
— The Appalachian Podcast (@GetOnTap) October 20, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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