According to the geniuses at ABC News, the flotilla incident between Israel and pro-Hamas activists Monday endangers American troops stationed in the Middle East.
At the conclusion of what had been a relatively well-balanced "World News" report concerning what happened off of the coast of Gaza early Monday morning, ABC's Jim Sciutto apprised viewers of the angry reaction to the event by Muslims in the region.
"While the facts remain in dispute, demonstrations extended across the Muslim world to Muslim communities in Europe," began Sciutto.
"A public outpouring like this one poses a danger for America's relations with the Muslim world as well," he continued.
"The popular perception of America has real consequences for American soldiers undermining already weak support for U.S. military action in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
JIM SCIUTTO, ABC: This is Jim Sciutto in London. The response today was global, immediate and angry.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: We have to stop Israel from murdering innocent people.
SCIUTTO: While the facts remain in dispute, demonstrations extended across the Muslim world to Muslim communities in Europe. Are you surprised to see this level of anger in London as opposed to in the region?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: I'm not surprised. This has, this has happened in every country now.
SCIUTTO: And some said that as Israel's ally, America shared the blame. A public outpouring like this one poses a danger for America's relations with the Muslim world as well. And a possibility that the Obama administration's recent pro-peace efforts and statements are overshadowed by a deadly operation by a U.S. ally. The popular perception of America has real consequences for American soldiers undermining already weak support for U.S. military action in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. This suffering in Gaza has long been a rallying cry for Muslims. Today's deadly operation has raised that anger to fever pitch.
How predictable.
Despite admitting "the facts remain in dispute," ABC News used Monday's Muslim protests to give viewers the impression that Israel's actions represent a threat to our soldiers as well as our relations with the Arab world.
How many times have we seen America's pro-Palestinian media outlets do that over the years?
For the facts concerning what happened off the coast of Gaza Monday, readers are encouraged to review "The Importance of Reporting Israel's Side of the Flotilla Incident."
