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Jewish Democrat Kvetches – Accuses New York Times of Being on ‘Hamas’ Payroll’ Over Anti-Israel ‘Propaganda’

May 15, 2026

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) joined mounting criticism against The New York Times after the newspaper published a controversial report alleging widespread abuse of prisoners by Israeli civilians and security personnel.

The explosive report, written by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers, Israeli officials, and critics.

Many accused the paper of amplifying claims tied to Hamas-linked sources while downplaying atrocities committed by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel.

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The @nytimes just published one of the most serious sets of allegations imaginable against Israel – claims of systematic sexual violence, including a bizarre story about carrots and trained rape dogs. We checked the sources.

What we found is journalistic malpractice. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/vBbLy0Lp0J

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) May 11, 2026

Gottheimer Accuses New York Times of Amplifying Hamas Propaganda

In a post on X, Gottheimer sharply condemned the report.

“WTF @nytimes!” Gottheimer wrote.

“Nick Kristof amplifies proven Hamas-affiliated sources and their propaganda, while the NYT continues to gloss over the systematic sexual violence, rape, and mutilation Hamas committed on October 7, now fully documented in the new Civil Commission report.”

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The New Jersey Democrat added that Americans should expect “better from the paper of record,” particularly involving allegations of such severity.

“It’s almost as if the NYT is on Hamas’ payroll,” Gottheimer added.

WTF @nytimes! Nick Kristof amplifies proven Hamas-affiliated sources and their propaganda, while the NYT continues to gloss over the systematic sexual violence, rape, and mutilation Hamas committed on October 7, now fully documented in the new Civil Commission report. We should…

— Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) May 13, 2026

The New York Times did not respond to the criticism.

Report Included Graphic Allegations Against Israeli Forces

Kristof’s report featured allegations from 14 individuals who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Israeli settlers or members of Israel’s security forces.

The accusations ranged from abuse of genitalia to graphic allegations involving dogs allegedly used in assaults.

The report rapidly went viral online and immediately drew fierce condemnation from Israeli officials and supporters of Israel.

Israeli Government Condemns Report as “Blood Libel”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry blasted the article as “one of the worst blood libels ever to appear in the modern press.”

“In an unfathomable inversion of reality, and through an endless stream of baseless lies, propagandist Nicholas Kristof turns the victim into the accused,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

The statement pointed to Hamas atrocities committed during the October 7 attacks, including documented allegations of rape, torture, and mutilation against Israeli civilians and hostages.

“Israel — whose citizens were the victims of the most horrific sexual crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, and whose hostages were later subjected to further sexual abuse — is portrayed as the guilty party,” the ministry added.

Israeli officials further accused the report of being part of a broader international campaign aimed at isolating Israel diplomatically.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Says Comments Were Misrepresented

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was quoted in Kristof’s article, later publicly distanced himself from the report’s broader allegations.

Olmert said he did not validate claims involving systemic rape, child abuse, or state-directed sexual torture.

“Mr. Kristof’s article includes claims of extraordinary gravity: that Israeli authorities have directed the rape of children, that dogs have been used as instruments of sexual assault, that systematic sexual torture is state policy,” Olmert said in a statement.

“I did not validate these claims,” he added.

Olmert said placing his quote within the article after such allegations “misrepresents” his views.

New York Times Defends Kristof and Reporting

The New York Times defended Kristof amid the growing backlash.

The newspaper’s spokesperson, Charlie Stadtlander, described Kristof as a “two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist” with decades of experience reporting on sexual violence in war zones.

“He traveled to the region to report firsthand on the stories of the Palestinians who suffered abuse, and his article collects accounts in the victims’ own words, backed by independent studies,” Stadtlander said.

The Times also rejected criticism from Olmert, insisting his comments were accurately presented and properly contextualized.

Growing Scrutiny Over Media Coverage of Israel-Hamas War

The controversy adds to growing scrutiny surrounding media coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, particularly reporting involving allegations of war crimes, sexual violence, and civilian casualties.

Critics have increasingly accused major media outlets of minimizing Hamas atrocities while applying disproportionate scrutiny to Israel’s military response following the October 7 terror attacks.

The dispute also highlights the broader political divide in Washington over the ongoing conflict, with Democrats and Republicans increasingly clashing over U.S. support for Israel and media narratives surrounding the war.