Recently, The New York Times, that so-called paper of record, published an outrageous piece accusing Israel of training dogs to rape prisoners.
Read that sentence again.
Not because it’s true. Because it’s absurd.
Forget for a moment that the claim is physically impossible. Forget that the reporting relied on sources tied to Hamas propaganda. Forget the complete collapse of basic journalistic skepticism that should stop a claim like this from ever making it into print.
What matters is this: one of the most influential media institutions in the world decided this accusation was responsible enough to publish anyway.
And Jews everywhere pay the price.
Blood Libel Isn’t Ancient History
There’s a reason this kind of story feels familiar.
For centuries, Jews have been accused of grotesque, fabricated crimes designed to dehumanize us and justify hatred against us. These lies used to spread in whispers, sermons, and pamphlets. Now they spread through headlines, viral posts, and major media outlets with enormous reach and credibility.
When a respected news organization amplifies sensational and unverified accusations against Israel without proper scrutiny, it doesn’t stay confined to the opinion pages or social media debates. It shapes public perception. It fuels hostility. It gives permission for antisemitism to flourish under the disguise of “concern” or “activism.”
And then Jews in America, on college campuses, online, and in everyday life, feel the consequences.
Journalism Requires Standards
No government is above criticism. Israel is not above criticism.
But journalism is supposed to require evidence, skepticism, verification, and context. Especially when publishing claims designed to provoke outrage and horror.
Instead, too many outlets now seem willing to print almost anything about Israel or Jews so long as it fits a preferred narrative.
That’s not courageous journalism. That’s ideological activism pretending to be reporting.
The media has enormous power. With that power comes responsibility. And when that responsibility is abandoned, people get hurt.
Why JewBelong Is Taking This Public
At JewBelong, we believe silence is dangerous.
That’s why our pink truck will be circling the block outside The New York Times headquarters all week. Because when dangerous lies are spread about Jews, JewBelong fights back.
Not with violence. Not with intimidation. With visibility, truth, and the refusal to let antisemitism hide behind polished headlines and institutional prestige.
Antisemitism does not always arrive wearing a swastika. Sometimes it comes wrapped in the language of human rights, printed in trusted newspapers, and amplified by institutions people once believed would uphold basic standards of fairness and truth. That is what makes moments like this so dangerous.
When major media outlets normalize grotesque accusations against Jews or Israel without rigorous scrutiny, Jews everywhere become less safe. And we are not going to stay quiet about it.
