Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, has ordered the cancellation of all subscriptions to The New York Times for the Israeli Consulate in New York. The decision, announced Friday, stems from Akunis's assertion that the newspaper has published a series of false "blood libels" and engaged in ongoing incitement against the State of Israel.
In a statement, Akunis described The New York Times as a publication that has "crossed every red line" and operates as a "well-oiled, coordinated machine spreading blood libels against the Jewish state." He further stated that the paper routinely publishes false claims, which he alleges have been used to incite hatred against Israel over many years. Akunis also claimed that the newspaper relies on "anonymous sources," some of which he suggested have been identified as terrorists or Hamas operatives.
Akunis emphasized that while he respects criticism, he will not legitimize the spread of hatred and falsehoods. He asserted that this "incitement and these blood libels are fueling the surge in antisemitism and the rise in violent attacks against Jews in the United States."
The New York Times has faced criticism for its reporting in the aftermath of Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Specifically, columnist Nicolas Kristof's reporting, which accused Israel of widespread abuse of Palestinian prisoners and the use of rape dogs, drew particular scrutiny. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously threatened legal action against The Times over Kristof's column and other alleged defamatory claims regarding Israel's conduct in the Gaza war.