Israel's ambassador to US accuses NYT of spreading 'blood libel' over Gaza reporting

Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter accused the New York Times of spreading a 'blood libel' against Israel over its Gaza reporting, warning that allegations of genocide and starvation could incite violence against Jews. Speaking at a Chabad conference, he described a 2025 meeting with NYT editors who he said accused Israel of genocide.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter strongly criticized The New York Times on Sunday, accusing the newspaper of spreading a 'blood libel' against Israel and warning that allegations of genocide and starvation in Gaza could pave the way for violence against Jews. Speaking before thousands of Chabad emissaries at the movement's annual international conference in New Jersey, Leiter described a meeting with 21 NYT editors in November 2025, during which he said they accused Israel, its government, and IDF soldiers of committing genocide and deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza. Leiter recounted that he presented facts about humanitarian aid and efforts to minimize civilian casualties, but said the editors responded with 'feelings.' He specifically criticized the NYT's use of a front-page photo of a malnourished Palestinian toddler, arguing the paper omitted the child's preexisting medical conditions and cropped out a healthy sibling. The NYT later updated its reporting to clarify the child had preexisting conditions but emphasized he was suffering from severe malnutrition. Leiter compared the accusations to historical antisemitic blood libels and warned that such rhetoric could incite violence against Jews. He urged Chabad emissaries to confront antisemitism.