Commentary

'New York Times' Omits Op-Ed Contributor's Terrorist Past

Did The New York Times just forget about murder? That’s what appears to have happened on the op-ed page of The New York Times, where the editors omitted to mention a contributor’s long career as a terrorist.

Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian activist and convicted terrorist, authored a piece for publication in the NYT titled, “Why We Are On Hunger Strike in Israel’s Prisons,” condemning Israel’s treatment of prisoners and their relatives, as well as recalling abuse he suffered as a teenager in Israeli prisons.

Barghouti, a former leader of the Palestinian political party Fatah, has spent the last 15 years in an Israel prison for five murder convictions in relation with terrorist activity, including the murder of a Greek Orthodox monk in 2001.

He was further accused of involvement in another 21 deaths, but these charges were dismissed, due to insufficient evidence. However, the NYT described him simply as a “Palestinian leader and parliamentarian.”

Israeli politicians and diplomats swiftly protested the misleading biographical blurb, leading the NYT to append a note to the article online: “This article explained the writer’s prison sentence, but neglected to provide sufficient context by stating the offenses of which he was convicted. They were five counts of murder and membership in a terrorist organization. Mr. Barghouti declined to offer a defense at his trial and refused to recognize the Israeli court’s jurisdiction and legitimacy.”

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely stated: “Barghouti is not a prisoner. He is a convicted murderer and a terrorist. The New York Times has provided a platform to a terrorist without noting the fact that he planned and carried out the cold-blooded murder of Jews simply for having been Jews. This is not a matter of freedom of speech. It is anarchy.”

Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chimed in, telling an Israeli audience Tuesday: “I read, on Sunday, the article in The New York Times that presents arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti as a ‘parliamentarian and leader.’ The paper recanted after we pointed it out to them. Calling Barghouti a ‘political leader’ is like calling Assad a ‘pediatrician.’ They are murderers and terrorists.”
2 comments about "'New York Times' Omits Op-Ed Contributor's Terrorist Past".
Check to receive email when comments are posted.
  1. Michael Pursel from Pursel Advertising, April 18, 2017 at 6:01 p.m.

    Clint, Clint.  You are such a hater.  The Times and Post create the news.  Just ask them  and if you don't like it...tough.  My hats off to Erik because this ommitance (I'm sure they just overlooked it.) normally goes unnoticed by media reporting on media.  Having been in news rooms, I understand how liberal the press really is and how much it pains them to report something that puts a dent in their progressive armour.  Good for you Erik.  But there is much more dirt to uncover.  Need my backhoe?

  2. Chuck Lantz from 2007ac.com, 2017ac.com network, April 18, 2017 at 7:21 p.m.


    A huge error by the NYT, who should know better. 

Next story loading loading..