Netanyahu says Israel will sue The New York Times
Summary
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government plans to sue The New York Times for defamation after the newspaper published an opinion column alleging sexual abuse by Israeli settlers and security forces against Palestinian prisoners. The New York Times defends the article, saying it was carefully fact-checked and based on multiple interviews and independent research.Key Facts
- Netanyahu's office called the article "one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the State of Israel."
- Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and journalist Nicholas Kristof.
- The article was based on interviews with 14 people claiming sexual abuse by Israeli settlers or security forces.
- The Times says the reports were verified with witnesses, family members, lawyers, independent experts, and human rights groups.
- It is uncertain if the lawsuit will be filed in Israel or the United States.
- In the U.S., governments cannot sue for defamation, and public officials have a high legal standard to prove malicious falsehoods.
- Legal experts say such a lawsuit would likely be difficult to win in the U.S. because opinion journalism is protected under the First Amendment.
- President Trump has used lawsuits against news outlets in the past to seek settlements over unfavorable coverage.
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