Subtle! What message is CNN trying to send with this tweet about terrorist attacks in Israel?

https://twitter.com/elisabethlehem/status/740641369580933121

Earlier today, at least three Israeli civilians were murdered (and more injured) in central Tel Aviv, reportedly by two Palestinian gunmen disguised as Orthodox Jews.

Here’s how CNN’s breaking news team covered it:

https://twitter.com/cnnbrk/status/740640542971826176

Beg your pardon?

Hi, CNN. Can you explain why the word terrorists is in scare quotes in your news reporting?

Thanks!

— Happy Thanksgiving & Epstein Didn't Kill Himself (@drawandstrike) June 8, 2016

CNN’s article cites a tweet by Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld:

Update to attack in tel Aviv. 3 people killed in shooting attack. No further terrorists in the area. 2 terrorists captured

— Micky Rosenfeld (@MickyRosenfeld) June 8, 2016

Rosenfeld indeed refers to the gunmen as terrorists.

https://twitter.com/BecketAdams/status/740643148960043008

OK, well, Rosenfeld also uses the word “attacks,” as does CNN. So why no quotes around “attacks” in CNN’s tweet?

Maybe we’re cynical, but it sure looks like CNN’s taking the cowardly route.

https://twitter.com/SethAMandel/status/740643796006936576

"terrorists"? They are. They killed three people. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

— Adi (@_iamadi_) June 8, 2016

Why the quotation marks? What do YOU call those who target and murder civilians?

— Allan N. (@AllanNoik) June 8, 2016

"Terrorists", @CNN? Pathetic. https://t.co/lw9COUXnEW

— Randy Clemens™ #MJMStrategiesRadio (@bostonrandy) June 8, 2016

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" " "OMG" " " https://t.co/74toXeS1ji

— Max Q ⚡ (@Randy_Shannon) June 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/740644665263853569

Why are they "terrorists" and not terrorists? @cnnbrk

— Ryan B. Leslie (@RyanBLeslie) June 8, 2016

.@cnnbrk Unbelievable. Why do you say "terrorists"? Can't you just say TERRORISTS? @HonestReporting

— Andreas Fagerbakke (@afagerbakke) June 8, 2016

it's terrorists not "terrorists".

— JDS (@__jds__jds) June 8, 2016

The word terrorists is in scare quotes? Seriously?

— SoCalConservativeGal (@SoCalViews) June 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/mrbill665/status/740646801091366913

is the use of " " a sick joke?

— Free thinker (@msbenedict) June 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/SunoftheM0rning/status/740641378565136385

https://twitter.com/SethAMandel/status/740645937975046144

https://twitter.com/NoahPollak/status/740644353157279744

Those scare quotes were a "horribly insensitive" decision.

— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) June 8, 2016

your "reporting" is pathetic.

— Avi Kaner (@AviKaner) June 8, 2016

They are TERRORISTS!! No quotation marks! You guys are sinking lower and lower.

— earth888 (@Yaybooks50) June 8, 2016

An "asshole" wrote this tweet https://t.co/JO8fwzkj3V

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) June 8, 2016

This is a "news" organization? https://t.co/vzuAZBpJGv

— Harold Stockinghands ?? (@StickeeNotes) June 8, 2016

Delete your ‘account’.

— Scott Lofquist (@ScottLofquist) June 8, 2016

***

Update:

CNN’s regular account pulled the same stunt:

https://twitter.com/CNN/status/740641544093466624

And was greeted with similar feedback:

The fact that "terrorists" is put in quotations is ridiculous. They are terrorists & cnn is misinforming people by using the quotations

— ✿a✿ (@b0ysinbandz) June 8, 2016

why use quotes around the word terrorists?

— Jax (@JackieBlue4u) June 8, 2016

: Reporting the news "Accurately"

— (((Mech))) (@kleinekappel) June 8, 2016