Story perspectives

Netanyahu threatens NYT lawsuit over Palestinian abuse column

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials threatened to sue The New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s column claiming sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees.
The New York Times newsroom reported internal tension as reporters questioned the opinion section’s standards after the column.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called the column fictitious and said it fuels antisemitic attacks.
Legal analysts said Supreme Court precedent in New York Times v. Sullivan requires proof of malice, making the lawsuit unlikely to succeed.

History

Historical Context

The 1971 Supreme Court ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States rejected Nixon’s attempt to block the Pentagon Papers—7.7 million pages—by demanding a clear, grave danger justification. That precedent, reinforced by the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan actual-malice standard, now frames Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ambassador Yechiel Leiter’s threat to sue columnist Nicholas Kristof and the Times for alleged abuse claims.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and officials threatened to sue The New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s column claiming sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees.
The New York Times newsroom reported internal tension as reporters questioned the opinion section’s standards after the column.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called the column fictitious and said it fuels antisemitic attacks.
Legal analysts said Supreme Court precedent in New York Times v. Sullivan requires proof of malice, making the lawsuit unlikely to succeed.

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