US reporter faces backlash over 'horrific' remarks on sarin attacks against Syrians, Muslims

Comments made live on CNN by US journalist Julia Ioffe comparing the value of Syrian and European lives have caused uproar on social media.

In the latest controversial comparison made between conflicts in the MENA region and the current Russian invasion taking place on European soil, the Ioffe asked:

"So what is NATO going to do if - you know, it's one thing for sarin gas to be used on people in far away Syria who are Muslim and who are of a different culture but what is Europe going to do when it's used on European soil on Europeans?"

“It’s one thing for sarin gas to be used on people in far away Syria who are Muslim and of a different culture. What is Europe going to do when it is on European soil, done to Europeans?”

Unbelievable from Julia Ioffe on CNN. pic.twitter.com/usgumf3oD5

— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) March 17, 2022

Her comments were  picked up by Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who responded saying "I can't believe this has to be stated, but suggesting it's ok to use sarin gas on people who are Muslim or Syrian is sick and evil." 

The Representative wrote in a since-deleted tweet, "Let's hope there is an explanation forthcoming from Julia Ioffe because this clip as it stands is horrific and can't be left without condemnation."

Ioffe responded on Twitter, refuting allegations of racism saying that her comments were meant to highlight inconsistencies in “racist and xenophobic logic” that has informed the approach of American and European governments. 

Hi Rep. Omar, this is an incomplete clip. As you can see, it picks up mid-segment. What I was saying was that the approach of the American and European governments has been informed by this kind of racist and xenophobic logic. I have asked CNN for the full clip. https://t.co/Y2DtPACXUh

— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) March 17, 2022

The veteran Russian-American reporter, who has worked for the Atlantic, the New Yorker and Politico, argued that the clip took her comments "out of context".

When Twitter users shared the full transcript, however, concerns remained that her comments took insufficient care in using Muslim and Syrian lives as a talking point - in the context of prior reporting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

I went to look at the @CNN transcript of @juliaioffe appearance the other night to see if I missed some context of her comment regarding sarin gas and Syria. But nope. She said what she said. pic.twitter.com/MTqIyKVcFp

— MirriamZary 🇦🇫 (@mirriam71) March 17, 2022

Reporter for the Huffington Post covering Islamophobia and immigration, Roweida Abdulaziz, lamented the overall picture for US coverage - and the "carelessness" with which Muslim lives are discussed in order to frame the European war. 

"There is still plenty to be said about the Islamophobic & xenophobic double standards of this war - Muslims being used as political talking points and how Muslims and people of color need to be extremely careful with their words while others can speak without fear of repercussions," she tweeted.