Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the New York Times of defaming Israel in its coverage of hunger in Gaza, specifically criticizing the newspaper for its portrayal of the situation and its focus on certain legal matters.
“The New York Times should be sued,” Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday, expressing frustration over the claims made in the paper. “I’m considering if our country can take legal action… It’s a clear loss of honor,” he stated.
This controversy originated from a July 24 article about hunger in Gaza, which featured a prominent image of an 18-month-old boy, Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawak, who is reportedly severely malnourished.
Netanyahu suggested that the way the story was presented seemed like a deliberate attempt to tarnish Israel’s image by implying it was responsible for starving the population of Gaza.
The boy’s mother recounted that she had “been born healthy” before experiencing significant malnutrition. Later reports clarified that Mohammed suffers from cerebral palsy and other genetic complications.
The Times faced criticism for potentially misleading readers into connecting the child’s condition directly to Israeli policy. Following the backlash, the paper updated its article on July 30 with editor’s notes to clarify the child’s medical history, but Netanyahu pointed out that the correction was buried deep in the publication and described it as minimal.
This ongoing debate reflects a larger discourse about how the conflict in Gaza is portrayed globally. Netanyahu asserted, “Israel is being depicted as conducting a hunger campaign in Gaza,” dismissing such claims as “a bold lie.” He maintained that humanitarian aid has been permitted in the region, although he claimed Hamas has misappropriated those supplies.
The Times defended its reporting, affirming that the editor’s notes reflected new information obtained after publication while stating that reports about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis remain valid. “As documented by our reporters and others, children in Gaza are indeed malnourished and in need of food,” a spokesperson for the paper remarked.
The paper also rebutted criticism from Israeli officials, noting, “Mr. Netanyahu references our update concerning the food crisis affecting civilians.” The statement reiterated that after publication, it was confirmed that the children in the piece were both malnourished and had prior health concerns.
A representative for the Times criticized Netanyahu’s remarks as an attempt to intimidate independent media and undermine accountability to the public.
Meanwhile, as humanitarian organizations and the United Nations report widespread food shortages and malnutrition in Gaza, relief agencies continue to highlight the serious lack of food, clean drinking water, and medicine. Critics argue that Israeli restrictions and military actions are primarily responsible for the dire situation, while Israel claims that Hamas is exacerbating the issue by seizing aid shipments.
Pro-Israel groups and some U.S. lawmakers back Netanyahu’s condemnation, describing a trend of biased reporting and claiming that Israel is falsely depicted as the cause of artificial hunger.
Supporters of the Times counter that such accusations aim to pressure journalists and discourage critical reporting on Israeli policies.
If Netanyahu pursues legal action against the paper, it wouldn’t mark the first time Israeli leaders have taken American media outlets to court. In 1983, then-Defense Minister Ariel Sharon sued Time Magazine during the fallout from Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982 over claims made about his conduct leading up to a massacre.
The court’s decision determined that the asserted statement was indeed defamatory but stopped short of labeling it as made with malicious intent, making it difficult for public figures to collect damages. Ultimately, Sharon received no financial compensation, despite the ruling recognizing that the report harmed his reputation.
