Pro-Palestine activist accuses media of bias, focusing on Boulder attack while ignoring Gaza mission

As international headlines focused on a violent incident at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, critics have accused major media outlets of ignoring another significant development: the departure of a humanitarian flotilla to Gaza, carrying high-profile passengers such as Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. A Tunisian art director known online as @pope.art, who has over 41,000 followers on Instagram, drew attention to the imbalance. Posting on Threads, the pro-Palestinian creative wrote, “Just in the last hour, I saw around nine articles about the Boulder attack—and guess what? Still none about Greta Thunberg, Rima Mobarak, and Liam Cunningham sailing with the Freedom Flotilla to break the siege on Gaza. NONE.”

Boulder Attack Investigated as Terrorism

The criticism came as global media spotlighted an incident in Boulder, Colorado, where a man wielding a makeshift flamethrower injured eight people during a pro-Israel demonstration on Sunday (1 June). The attack occurred outside the historic Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street, a popular pedestrian mall. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman—an Egyptian national residing in Colorado—is being investigated by the FBI for terrorism-related offenses. Authorities believe he acted alone and had no significant law enforcement history. The victims, aged between 52 and 88, were participating in a regular gathering organized by Run for Their Lives – Boulder, a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Soliman reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack and allegedly disguised himself in workmen’s clothing to blend in with the crowd. While the motive is still under investigation, officials say it is too early to determine whether the group was specifically targeted. A review of Soliman’s potential social media accounts is ongoing. FBI Director Kash Patel nonetheless referred to the incident as “a targeted terror attack” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The FBI is currently assisting local police with the investigation. Several Jewish organizations in Boulder issued a joint statement expressing solidarity and concern. “Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.”

Freedom Flotilla Sets Sail for Gaza

While the Boulder attack dominated headlines, @pope.art pointed to what he described as a media blackout surrounding the launch of the Madleen, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which set sail from Catania, Sicily, to Gaza on the same day. Aboard the ship is prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg, who joins a delegation carrying vital humanitarian supplies for the besieged enclave. The cargo includes baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and prosthetic limbs for children. The mission aims not only to deliver aid but also to raise global awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has worsened due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign and blockade. “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying,” Thunberg said, visibly emotional at a press conference before departure. “No matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide.” Thunberg is joined by Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament. The voyage is expected to take around seven days. This latest mission follows a failed attempt last month when another vessel, Conscience, was reportedly struck by drones in international waters near Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front of the ship. Like its predecessor, the current voyage is attempting to break Israel’s blockade and deliver aid directly to Gaza. Although restrictions were marginally eased in May to permit limited humanitarian deliveries, United Nations agencies and major relief groups say Israeli limitations, lawlessness, and looting continue to obstruct the flow of aid to Gaza’s population of approximately two million. The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine, with 75% of the population facing “emergency” or “catastrophic” levels of food insecurity. Despite the humanitarian nature of the mission, Thunberg has faced significant backlash, particularly from commentators in international media. “She’s sailing to Gaza like it’s some sort of idyllic holiday destination,” said Sky News Australia host Danica De Giorgio, naming Thunberg her “big loser of the week.” “She really is annoying at all times,” De Giorgio added. Another guest on the program, commentator Prue MacSween, said, “She’s such an urban terrorist herself, she’ll fit right in. Let’s just hope she stays over there.” Online, similar sentiments proliferated. Social media users posted comments such as, “Let’s hope it’s a one-way voyage,” and “I hope she stays in Gaza,” echoing former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng’s remarks, which had earlier sparked a flurry of public outcry and ministerial responses. The FFC's efforts have garnered both praise and criticism over the years, often viewed as acts of civil disobedience that challenge the legality and morality of the Gaza blockade.

Allegations of Media Bias in Gaza Coverage

It is worth noting that concerns over media coverage are not new. In October 2024, ten journalists from CNN and the BBC alleged that their networks had engaged in biased reporting on the Gaza conflict following the 7 October attacks. The journalists cited editorial interference, double standards, and a tendency to downplay Palestinian suffering in favor of Israeli narratives. Since the escalation of the conflict, the Palestine Health Ministry reports that as of 27 May 2025, more than 54,000 people have been killed—17,400 of them children—and over 123,000 have been injured. Israeli bombardments and ground operations have devastated the territory, displacing the vast majority of Gaza’s population.