Published on November 7, 2023, 12:54 am

The Jerusalem Post recently published an article that sparked controversy and received widespread criticism. The article, titled “How to use the stress from the Israel-Hamas war to lose weight,” drew strong backlash for its insensitive and inappropriate content.

In a time of conflict and heightened tension, it is astounding that such a self-help health article would suggest using the stress from the war as a means to lose weight. The headline alone raises eyebrows and highlights the lack of thought put into considering the emotions and sensitivities of those affected by the conflict.

The accompanying tweet further exacerbated the issue, stating, “Fears of rockets and missiles amid Israel’s war with Hamas putting millions of Israelis in a constant state of anxiety and stress. But you can actually use this stress to lose weight and stay healthy.” This tweet was posted with hashtags such as “#Israel,” “#HamasTerrorists,” “#Gaza,” and “#weightloss.”

Unsurprisingly, social media users swiftly condemned the article with numerous hot takes. Author Kurt Anderson couldn’t believe that this was not a parody account, expressing his disbelief regarding its existence. Others chimed in, describing it as dystopian or questioning whether AI-generated text had gone wrong.

It is crucial to remember that war should never be considered an avenue for weight loss. Wars, conflicts, and emergencies cause immense suffering for many individuals involved. It is inappropriate to trivialize these hardships by suggesting that people use them as opportunities for personal gain or weight loss.

Amidst global crises, it is essential to approach journalism responsibly and ethically. Media outlets play a crucial role in informing the public while providing accurate information during challenging times. Sensationalizing or exploiting such situations only undermines their purpose.

As we strive towards building compassionate societies, let us ensure that our focus remains on empathy, understanding, and supporting one another during difficult times rather than promoting harmful ideas disguised as self-help advice.

Editor’s Note: Alex Griffing is a Senior Editor at Mediaite.