New York Times: Israel known for ‘pioneering cutting-edge ways to kill people’

The New York Times has caused outrage after suggesting Israel is “best known for pioneering cutting-edge ways to kill people”.

The publication made the comment on Twitter last Friday, sharing an article about the Israeli defence ministry’s state-of-the-art research, in its bid to fight coronavirus.

It said the ministry’s “research-and-development arm is best known for pioneering cutting-edge ways to kill people and blow things up. Now it is turning to saving lives”.

The article received nearly 2 thousands comments on Twitter – many accusing it of antisemitism.

Michael Dickson, the British-born executive director of pro-Israel group StandWithUS, said: “Even as it outlines the ways that Israeli servicemen and women are working to save and safeguard people from #COVID19, the @nytimes can’t help but create a clickbait headline perfect for Israel-haters and Antisemites. At this point, it’s practically an obsession”.

Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, said the paper “which buried the Holocaust, is best known for pioneering ways to libel and demonise the Jewish State. Now it is doing the same.”

Bnai Brith International branded it an “egregious & offensive post” which was “fanning flames of antisemitism & anti-Israel animus”.

The New York Times was approached for comment on Saturday but has so far not responded.