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How the New York Times Laundered Dubious Sexual Abuse Claims Against Israel
(Honest Reporting) David Lange - The New York Times opinion piece alleging sexual abuse against Palestinian prisoners relied on sources with documented pro-terror sympathies. One of the central figures cited is Sami al-Sai. Yet the Times failed to inform readers about al-Sai's documented history of glorifying terrorists and celebrating armed attacks against Israelis. Several of the article's central allegations appear to have evolved significantly over time. Al-Sai previously gave a detailed account of his detention to B'Tselem in early 2025, but in the New York Times version, the account suddenly becomes dramatically more elaborate, with highly specific, emotionally charged details that were absent from the earlier account. The article also relies heavily on Hebron activist Issa Amro, whose account appears to have evolved as well. In a February 2024 Washington Post interview, Amro said he was threatened with sexual assault during a 10-hour detention on Oct. 7. By the time of the New York Times article, however, he is presented as an established victim of sexual assault as part of a broader alleged pattern. To substantiate one of the article's most grotesque accusations, Kristof cites Shaiel Ben-Ephraim as an authority. But Ben-Ephraim previously left UCLA after multiple sexual-harassment allegations involving inappropriate conduct toward minors. The article's broader claims about an Israeli policy of sexual torture also lean heavily on Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, presented as a neutral watchdog. It is not. Euro-Med's leadership has documented links to Hamas and a long record of promoting inflammatory and unverified accusations against Israel. In June 2024, it even pushed the claim that Israel "trains dogs to rape prisoners." The Times effectively launders these allegations by citing these groups as authoritative sources. This is advocacy journalism masquerading as investigative reporting. When Israel is accused, suspicion quickly becomes accepted truth. When a major report about Hamas atrocities threatens to dominate headlines, the New York Times accuses Israel of sexual abuse? That is not coincidence. It is narrative framing.