Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called the article “one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in modern journalism.”
By Shula Rosen
The New York Times faced mounting backlash this week after publishing an opinion column by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof that accuses Israeli soldiers and prison guards of systematic sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees, prompting Israeli officials and Jewish organizations to denounce the article as defamatory and unsupported by evidence.
The column, titled “The Silence Around Rapes of Palestinians,” includes allegations that Palestinian detainees were subjected to severe sexual violence, including claims involving the use of dogs in assaults.
Kristof wrote that abuse had become a “routine operating procedure” and said his reporting was based on interviews with 14 Palestinian men and women who claimed they had been assaulted.
Israeli officials sharply rejected the accusations and questioned both the sourcing and the decision to publish the allegations in the opinion section rather than as a reported investigation.
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter called the article “one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in modern journalism.” He said: “The New York Times and Kristof are counting on you not pulling back the curtain on their lies. Complaints about unlawful conduct should be submitted to investigative bodies for examination, not adjudicated in newspaper pages without evidence.”
Oren Marmorstein, spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, said the column was fabricated and lacked “even a single piece of evidence,” while alleging that one of the article’s principal sources had known ties to Hamas.
Israeli officials also questioned the timing of the publication, saying it appeared shortly before the release of a civilian report on sexual crimes committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack.
The Foreign Ministry said it had previously presented that report to the newspaper but was told the paper was “not interested.” The ministry added: “That tells you everything about The New York Times’ agenda.”
Online criticism intensified after users challenged the plausibility of some allegations and questioned why the newspaper had not published the claims as a news investigation.
One user on X questioned why the newspaper had not published the investigation as a news report if it knew the material was so shocking and controversial.
Kristof replied that “there’s clearly a different standard in that opinion columns carry opinions” but insisted that he “deeply believe[s] that the best opinion journalism is rooted in original reporting.”
Kristof defended the piece, saying opinion journalism can include original reporting and that his work undergoes fact-checking.
The controversy expanded beyond Israel, with the American Jewish Committee describing the article as a “modern blood libel.”
Calls for subscription cancellations and protests outside The New York Times headquarters gained momentum online. Bill Ackman accused the newspaper of running a “disinformation campaign” through Kristof and demanded: “Shut it down.”
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
