Two NYT journalists accuse Israel of ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ in signed letter.
Two NYT Journalists Sign Letter Blaming Israel for ‘Genocide’ and ‘Apartheid’
Jamie Lauren Keiles, Jazmine Hughes
At least two New York Times writers have boldly signed a letter that holds Israel responsible for Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel and accuses the Jewish state of committing ”genocide” and “apartheid.”
Times Magazine writers Jazmine Hughes and Jamie Lauren Keiles have joined other signatories on an Oct. 26 letter by the group Writers Against the War on Gaza. The letter asserts that Israel provoked the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against itself and is perpetrating “genocide against the Palestinian people.” The signatories label Israel as an “apartheid state” for defending itself against terrorists and express their support for the Palestinians’ “anticolonial struggle.”
Hughes, known for her controversial remarks, including racist and anti-Semitic comments on social media, was hired by the Times despite these issues, as Breitbart reported in 2019. In a tweet that is still accessible, Hughes invoked anti-Semitic stereotypes and made the statement, “jews are inDEED good with money.” She also contributed to the controversial Times 1619 Project, a series of articles criticized by historians for presenting inaccurate claims about American history.
The New York Times has recently faced multiple accusations of anti-Semitism. The newspaper recently reengaged a Gaza-based freelancer, Soliman Hijjy, who has a history of praising Adolf Hitler and supporting Hamas’s attacks against Israel. The Times assured the Washington Free Beacon that Hijjy “understood our concerns” regarding his Hitler praise and has delivered unbiased and significant work.
Furthermore, Free Press editor Bari Weiss exposed other instances of anti-Semitism within the Times. In an article published on Oct. 26, the Times quoted an “expert” who referred to the date of Hamas’s attack on Israel as a “sweet day.” Prior to that, the Times published a “flattering profile” of an op-ed by Palestinian professor Refaat Alareer, who made jokes about an Israeli baby being burned alive in an oven. These incidents were highlighted by Weiss on Twitter.
In December 2021, the Free Beacon reported that the Times issued a significant correction regarding its profile of Alareer, acknowledging that the professor had claimed Israeli poetry ”brainwashes” readers into perceiving Israelis as “innocent.”
More recently, the Times admitted last week that it mistakenly propagated Hamas’s claims of Israel bombing a Gazan hospital on Oct. 17, as reported by the Free Beacon. Evidence suggests that a Hamas-affiliated terrorist group was likely responsible for the attack.
“What’s happening here” is “quite simple,” Weiss stated in her Twitter thread. “This is the consequence of a newspaper being dominated by reporters and editors, educated at prestigious schools, who have embraced a ‘decolonial’ worldview. Reader, be cautious.”
How has the New York Times responded to the criticism of biased coverage of Israel and anti-Semitic incidents within its staff?
Outlet has been criticized for its biased coverage of Israel and its handling of anti-Semitic incidents within its own staff. The inclusion of writers like Jazmine Hughes, who has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks, raises questions about the newspaper’s commitment to fair and unbiased reporting.
The letter signed by Hughes and Keiles accuses Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid” in its treatment of the Palestinian people. These claims are not only unfounded but also deeply inflammatory. They ignore the complex realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the constant threat of terrorism faced by Israel.
By placing the blame solely on Israel, the signatories of the letter overlook the terrorist acts committed by Hamas, such as the October 7 attack referenced in the letter. Hamas’s indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli civilians are clear acts of terrorism, yet the writers fail to acknowledge the responsibility of the terrorist organization.
Furthermore, labeling Israel as an “apartheid state” is both misleading and malicious. Israel is a diverse and democratic nation that grants equal rights and protections to all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. To equate Israel with apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination, is a distortion of the truth and undermines the legitimate struggles against real instances of apartheid in history.
It is concerning that writers like Hughes, who have demonstrated a blatant bias and a willingness to perpetuate harmful stereotypes, are given a platform in a respected publication like the New York Times. This not only compromises the integrity of the newspaper but also perpetuates a harmful narrative that demonizes Israel and undermines its security.
The New York Times must reassess its editorial processes and ensure that it upholds the principles of fair and balanced reporting. Allowing individuals with a history of making racist and anti-Semitic remarks to contribute to its content undermines the credibility of the publication.
Accurate and balanced reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires an understanding of the complexities and nuances involved. It is essential to recognize the legitimate security concerns of Israel while also addressing the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people. By promoting biased narratives and inflammatory language, writers like Hughes and Keiles do a disservice to the pursuit of peace and understanding in the region.
The New York Times should strive for responsible and ethical journalism that promotes dialogue and understanding, rather than contributing to division and animosity. The publication must take the necessary steps to address the concerns raised by this letter and ensure that its reporting reflects accuracy, fairness, and respect for all parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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