Netanyahu to sue New York Times over alleged Palestinian rape article

Israel Launches Defamation Suit Against New York Times Over Rape Allegations Report

The Israeli government has announced plans to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, following the publication of an article by columnist Nicholas Kristof detailing rape allegations made by Palestinian detainees against Israeli forces. The report, which was based on accounts from 14 male and female Palestinian victims, was published three days after its release.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have instructed the initiation of a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. The government has also described the article as “the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel in the modern press”.

The New York Times and Kristof have maintained their stance on the report, with a spokesperson stating that the accounts were corroborated through multiple sources and extensively fact-checked. The newspaper did not immediately respond to the Israeli government’s announcement.

It is worth noting that a foreign government can technically sue a US media company, but the prospect raises several legal questions, particularly over jurisdiction. If the suit is brought in a US court, it may face significant challenges due to broad constitutional protections afforded to US media.

The New York Times has faced criticism for its reporting on alleged abuses against Israelis and Palestinians. In December 2023, the newspaper published a report detailing allegations of a pattern of sexual abuse during Hamas attacks on southern Israel. The integrity of this report has been questioned by some within the newspaper’s own newsroom.

In response to these criticisms, The New York Times has maintained its commitment to reporting on sensitive topics and has stood by its previous reports.

Source: Al Jazeera