Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on May 14 the initiation of a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and journalist Nicholas Kristof over an article published May 11 alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees by Israeli soldiers, settlers, prison guards, and interrogators in the West Bank [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The article by Kristof included testimonies from 14 Palestinians who described sexual assault by Israeli forces and settlers since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war and a large-scale detention of Palestinians in the West Bank [1, 2, 3, 5]. The piece did not accuse Israeli leaders of ordering the attacks but described a pattern of sexual violence documented by the United Nations and rights groups, involving both Israeli forces and Hamas since late 2023 [1, 2, 3].
Israel’s government strongly rejected the allegations, calling the article one of the "most hideous and distorted lies published against Israel in the modern press," claiming it relied on unverified sources linked to Hamas-affiliated networks [1, 2, 5]. Netanyahu said, "They defamed the soldiers of Israel and perpetuated a blood libel about rape... We will fight these lies in the court of public opinion and in the court of law. Truth will prevail" [3].
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, condemned Kristof and The New York Times, accusing them of violating journalistic standards [1]. By contrast, the New York Times defended the article. Spokesman Charlie Stadtlander said, "The accounts of the 14 men and women [Kristof] interviewed were corroborated with other witnesses, when possible, and with people the victims confided in - that includes family members and lawyers. Details were extensively fact-checked" [3]. The newspaper called Israel’s legal claims "without merit" and described them as part of a political effort to silence independent journalism [1, 3].
Jewish protesters gathered outside the New York Times office in Manhattan demanding Kristof’s firing in response to the article [1]. Israel has threatened lawsuits against The New York Times before, including in August 2025 over coverage of starvation in Gaza, but did not follow through on that case [3, 4].
The case marks the latest chapter in heightened tensions between Israeli officials and international media over reporting on the conflict and human rights allegations. The legal action is underway as both sides prepare for a court hearing expected in the coming months [1, 3].
