Early Friday, someone splattered red paint at the entrance of a building in Ritzie Greenwich Village, where Joseph Kahn, the executive editor of the New York Times, resides.
Police received a call just before 5 a.m. concerning the incident at 43rd and Fifth Avenue. Residents found red paint covering the stairs, walls, sidewalks, and lamps surrounding the entrance, along with messages written in black marker on the pavement stating, “Joe Kahn lies, Gaza dies.”
No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation is ongoing, according to the NYPD.
Authorities indicated that this act fits a trend of anti-Israel protests specifically targeting Kahn, criticizing what they see as a manipulation of the narrative around Gaza’s situation.
In December, protesters had stormed the newspaper’s headquarters, leaving a similar message in red paint at the entrance.
A spokesperson for the Times responded to the vandalism, stating that while opposition to their reporting is valid, such acts targeting individuals and their families will not foster constructive dialogue.
Kahn lives in one of New York City’s prestigious cooperative buildings. The 43 Fifth Avenue structure, constructed in 1905, is recognized for its stunning limestone facade and Art Nouveau features.
The building was renovated in 1978 and has only 42 apartments, notable for their high ceilings and elegant woodwork, embodying classic grandeur.
Public records indicate that Kahn’s unit last sold for roughly $1.6 million in 2009. Meanwhile, apartments and penthouses in that building have recently commanded prices between $8 million and $17 million, according to real estate resources.
This location has had its share of famous residents; Julia Roberts sold her penthouse there in 2005. Moreover, iconic figures like Marlon Brando and novelist Dawn Powell once called it home.
The vandalism coincides with rising scrutiny of the New York Times’ coverage of the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Critics accuse the paper of biased language and sanitizing its content concerning Palestinian casualties, particularly in light of their reporting practices.
Last month, The Times highlighted the plight of a boy in Gaza facing hunger, which sparked debate after backlash from Israeli officials over claims that he had pre-existing health conditions.
This incident ignited further controversy, with accusations that the paper was promoting “Hamas propaganda” while bowing to outside pressures—a tension ongoing in newsroom discussions around Middle Eastern coverage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rebuked the Times over its reporting on Gaza, suggesting he might pursue legal action due to perceived defamation.
In the newsroom, there are indications of friction, especially surrounding the investigations into sensitive topics like reported sexual violence by Hamas, with allegations that union members are targeting Middle Eastern journalists.
Joseph Kahn began his role as executive editor last year, succeeding Dean Baquet.
