The real reason Netanyahu is threatening to sue the New York Times — Friday 22 May 2026Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threat to sue the New York Times over its reporting on the alleged rape of Palestinian detainees has ignited a fierce online dispute rather than a courtroom battle. The article in question detailed accounts from victims claiming sexual abuse by Israeli prison guards and soldiers, prompting Netanyahu to label the coverage as baseless. While the Times dismissed the legal threat as meritless, the episode has shifted scrutiny to social media platforms where accounts like Honest Reporting have targeted journalist Nicholas Kristof with accusations of malpractice. Analysis from Middle East Eye reveals that these challenges rely on unsubstantiated assertions about the victims and recycle common rape myths to undermine their credibility. Such tactics mirror efforts by self-styled fact-checkers to cast doubt on testimonies emerging from Israeli detention facilities. The approach avoids direct evidence while amplifying unverified claims, turning a serious human rights issue into a contest of narratives on X. For global audiences, this episode underscores the risks to press freedom when governments weaponize legal threats against critical reporting on conflict-related sexual violence. It also highlights how information campaigns can obscure accountability in protracted disputes like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, affecting international perceptions of justice and victim support worldwide.Watch the full video from Middle East Eye below.