Israel Sues New York Times Over Kristof's 14-Source Abuse Column as Paper Stands by Reporting
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 14
Israel Sues New York Times Over Kristof's 14-Source Abuse Column as Paper Stands by Reporting
5 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 14
Israel said it will file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s column alleging sexual abuse of Palestinians, including a disputed claim that dogs were used in assaults.
The Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the case after what it called one of the most distorted lies published against the state.
The Times defended the piece in a statement Wednesday, saying Kristof interviewed 14 men and women and that their accounts were cross-checked with witnesses, relatives, lawyers, human-rights research and, in one case, U.N. testimony.
The clash deepens a broader fight over reporting on alleged abuses in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, with critics calling the column propaganda and the newspaper issuing multiple statements backing its journalism.
As Israel sues the NYT, will evidence prove the sexual violence claims a horrific truth or a modern blood libel?
When a state sues a newspaper over war crime claims, where is the line between journalism and propaganda?
Israel’s 2026 Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times: Legal Hurdles, Press Freedom Risks, and the Battle Over Sexual Abuse Allegations
Overview
In May 2026, Israel announced plans to sue The New York Times for defamation after Nicholas Kristof published a column alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli forces and settlers. The article’s graphic claims triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, who labeled it a 'blood libel' and accused the Times of spreading lies. The dispute centers on whether Kristof’s reporting crossed from opinion into actionable defamation, with Israel challenging the credibility of the sources and the timing of the article. This legal move highlights deep divisions over press freedom, evidence standards, and the challenges of reporting in conflict zones.