Israel suing “The New York Times”
The Israeli government plans to sue “The New York Times” over what it terms a libelous story about alleged war crimes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued a joint statement condemning an opinion piece by columnist Nicholas Kristof as “one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel in the modern press.”
The column alleged widespread abuse of Palestinian prisoners, including accusations of dogs being trained to commit rape. A spokesperson for the “Times” rejected Israel’s accusations, calling the lawsuit “without merit” and “part of a well-worn political playbook.”
Times critics, and even some friends, described some of the allegations by the newspaper as laughable. Online, memes spread around the world showing Mossad-trained dogs at the center of mischief, including being trained to eat children’s homework and downloading illegally pirated music.
The controversy continues to fuel outrage among pro-Israel advocates in the United States. Jayne Zirkle from #EndJewHatred said, “We’ve seen this October 7th denialism from The New York Times before, and we are asking them tonight to retract, and we are demanding better honest journalism.”Kristof famously is said to have fabricated parts of a story around supposed anti-sex trafficking hero Somaly Mam. He repeatedly elevated Mam, a Cambodian, in columns and news stories for the Times before it was revealed that much of the background on Mam was invented. The Atlantic, a liberal publication, did extensive reporting on Kristof’s errors.
In another incident, 60 Minutes exposed fabrications in a Kristoff story about Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. According to news stories at the time, Kristof is good at “savior” narratives, giving individuals enormous credibility before later independent sources discovered serious fabrications.
That background is fuel for critics of the “dog” story and other allegations against Israel.
Demonstrators gathered outside The New York Times headquarters last week, accusing the paper of promoting false narratives about Israel.
“They are spreading blood libels that are truly unbelievable, to the point where they are scientifically impossible,” activist Zach Sage Fox said. “Dogs do not rape people, but Hamas does. The New York Times was the paper of record that downplayed Hitler’s propaganda. His murder of Jews in the 1930s 40s, and 50s. And they are doing it again.”
Beyond Israel’s borders, shifting alliances continue to emerge in the Persian Gulf. Netanyahu revealed that he secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran, calling it a “historic breakthrough.” U.A.E. officials denied the visit, saying ties under the Abraham Accords are handled transparently.
–Alan Goforth
#Israel #NewYorkTimes #NicholasKristof #MediaBias #Antisemitism #JewishNews #IsraelNews #BenjaminNetanyahu #Jerusalem #AbrahamAccords
