Israel's NYC consul, citing 'blood libels,' orders staff to cancel New York Times subscriptions

Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis ordered his staff to cancel their New York Times subscriptions, citing a series of 'false blood libels' published by the newspaper. Akunis accused the Times of demonizing and delegitimizing Israel, relying on anonymous sources and anti-Israel activists. The move follows a Times article on Gaza flotilla activists alleging abuse by Israeli authorities, and a May opinion piece by Nick Kristof accusing Israel of using dogs to rape Palestinian detainees.

Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis ordered his staff to cancel their New York Times subscriptions, citing a series of 'false blood libels' published by the newspaper. In a statement released on Friday, Akunis said the Times 'consistently demonizes and delegitimizes the Jewish State' and relies on anonymous sources and anti-Israel activists. The order follows a Times article published Friday morning in which Gaza flotilla activists claimed to have been abused by Israeli authorities during their latest attempt to breach the blockade. Activists described being beaten, shot at with rubber bullets, and verbally abused. The Times has faced previous accusations of anti-Israel bias, notably a May opinion piece by Nick Kristof accusing Israel of using dogs to rape Palestinian detainees, which Israel condemned as a 'blood libel.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was considering legal action over that piece.