Israel’s Foreign Ministry has accused NYT columnist Nicholas Kristoff of modern “blood libel” and participating in a “false and well-orchestrated anti-Israel campaign” after he published his most recent piece.
What did Kristoff write that could earn him such reprobation by a nation-state that is currently engaged in a genocide, occupation, and illegal war against Iran?
The columnist wrote a sobering, infuriating, and heartbreaking piece on how Israel uses rape and sexual violence against men, women, and children as standard operating procedure. He interviewed numerous victims, who shared their horrific tales of abuse on the record. He also cited the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which reported that Israel uses sexual violence that is “widely practiced as part of an organized state policy.” He even included the conclusion of B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, that documented a “grave pattern of sexual violence” towards Palestinians.
However, you don’t need to take their word. You just have to trust the evidence of your own eyes and ears.
In March, Israel refused to prosecute five Israeli soldiers who were recorded assaulting a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman military prison. The soldiers were treated as heroes by the Israeli media and public. This month, Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s extremist national security minister, celebrated his 50th birthday with a cake featuring a golden noose in honor of a recent, racist law that allows Palestinian prisoners to be executed by hanging. Kristoff even quotes Ben Gvir, who has referred to Palestinian detainees as “scum” and “Nazis” and promised to make their conditions even worse.
This is what happens in a country ruled by genocidal ethno-supremacists who have normalized the dehumanization of an entire people. It is not unique to Israel. Kristoff has seen the pattern throughout his travels. The difference is that the United States and its establishment continue to fund and support Israel despite its ongoing war crimes.
Kristoff joins The Left Hook to discuss his reporting and why Palestinian victims of Israel’s sexual assault, especially the men, decided to bravely share their story with the world.
***Because I’m a terrible capitalist, here’s a great 25% off discount
for new paid subscribers. It’ll only be about $3.75/month or $38/year.
There are no paywalls, and The Left Hook continues depending on the kindness of our readers.
Thank you Ellie Leonard, Amy Gabrielle, Suri Crowe, Robin Payes, LeftieProf, and many others for tuning into my live video with Kristof Farms! Join me for my next live video in the app.
