RAMALLAH, WEST BANK: Palestinian demonstrators confronted CNN reporter Sara Sidner while reporting from the West Bank on October 20.
As Sidner was walking through the streets of Ramallah with her crew, an angry Palestinian protestor shouted in her face, "You are a genocide supporter. You are not welcome here!" The protestor continued screaming at her and impolitely asked her to leave the place.
During the incident, Sidner was on-air for 'CNN This Morning'.
Ramallah is in the Israeli-occupied West Bank territory, where Palestinian demonstrators have been protesting against Israel's supposed continued oppression.
Sara Sidner remained calm throughout the encounter
Sara Sidner, clad in a heavy-duty helmet and bulletproof vest, was immediately moved away by the security detail traveling with the crew after she was shouted at by the demonstrator.
The reporter remained calm even when the furious protestor pointed his fingers at her and came extremely close to her face as other demonstrators gathered around the CNN crew tried to block the camera.
"All right, you see that people are very angry," said the CNN reporter right after the confrontation, adding, "They do not like the way in which CNN has been reporting the story. You hear that."
She continued to report and assured the 'CNN This Morning' crew that she was safe.
"What you are seeing is the heightened fear, anger, frustration with what's happening in general," reported Sidner.
US' stand on Israel-Hamas war leads to anti-America protests
According to BBC, since the war erupted on October 7, more than 4,000 people have been killed in Gaza, while more than 1,400 have died in Israel.
President Joe Biden visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18 and offered the US' unwavering support to the nation.
POTUS' comments were not received well by pro-Palestine supporters around the world due to the blast in Gaza's Al-Ahli Arab hospital and anti-America protests were conducted in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh on October 20.
On the same day, the US issued a worldwide travel warning for its citizens, stating, "Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution."
Internet reacts to encounter between CNN's Sara Sidner and Palestinian protestors
Soon after the confrontation between CNN reporter Sara Sidner and Palestinian protestors came to light, netizens commented with their views.
"Don't think anybody likes any mainstream media organisation any longer, for obvious reasons," wrote one.
A user stated, "I think they’re not the only ones that are feeling this way about CNN. Reporters and journalists jobs are getting every more dangerous."
Another user wrote, "Wow, that must have been a wakeup call."
One concerned about the Sidner's safety said, "They should probably leave. Not safe for any American there."
"Haha what did they expect? To be welcomed with open arms. ???." exclaimed another.
A person opined, "Palestinians deserve a peaceful place to live. Israeli's deserve a peaceful place to live. Palestinian's should also protest against Hamas who has used their civilian population like a human shield - which is a crime in itself. Other Arab Countries are quiet? They need to help!"
