Ministry of Defense Rectifies Misinformation

By Published On: May 8, 2012

MOD Bethlehem Barrier.jpg
A map of the security barrier around Bethlehem from the Ministry of Defense website.

After an inquiry from CAMERA, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has rectified erroneous information that it apparently gave to 60 Minutes regarding the security fence. In a segment about Palestinian Christians that aired on April 22, 2012, “60 Minutes” reported that the security barrier built to stop suicide bombers coming from the West Bank “completely surrounds” Bethlehem when, in fact, it does not.

Harry Radliffe, producer for the segment in question subsequently reported that 60 Minutes got its information about the security barrier from the Israeli Ministry of Defense. CAMERA contacted the Ministry of Defense, which has issued the following statement.

Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding in the Administration of the Seam Line at the Ministry of Defense, it appears incorrect information was passed on by officials regarding the nature of the security fence in the Bethlehem region. Bethlehem is not surrounded by the security fence.

It is unfortunate that the reporters at “60 Minutes” did not subject the incorrect information it received from the Ministry of Defense to the same level of scrutiny it reserved for Ambassador Michael Oren.

The onus is now on “60 Minutes” to issue a correction regarding the security fence. Its source for the misinformation it passed off as fact has now retracted its statement.

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