The New York Times is being criticized for publishing an op-ed written by the mayor of Gaza City, who was appointed to the position by Hamas, a group that’s been on the State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organizations since 1997. Mayor Yahya Sarraj wrote that Israel had pulverized Gaza’s cultural riches.
“I call on the world’s municipalities — everyone — to pressure world leaders to stop this mindless destruction,” Sarraj wrote. “Why can’t Palestinians be treated equally, like Israelis and all other peoples in the world? Why can’t we live in peace and have open borders and free trade?”
Sarraj said his son died when a strike hit his home, and he questioned the Israeli military’s tactics.
“Why did the Israeli tanks destroy so many trees, electricity poles, cars and water mains,” Sarraj wrote. “Why would Israel hit a U.N. school? The obliteration of our way of life in Gaza is indescribable. I still feel I am in a nightmare because I can’t imagine how any sane person could engage in such a horrific campaign of destruction and death.”
The piece is controversial because Sarraj was appointed by Hamas, which he mentioned in passing.
“One of my major goals after the Hamas administration appointed me mayor in 2019 was to improve the city’s seafront and foster the opening of small businesses along it to create jobs.”
According to the United States’ director of national intelligence, Hamas has “been the de facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007, when it ousted the Palestinian Authority from power.”
This op-ed is being criticized by those on the right, with presidential candidate Nikki Haley voicing her thoughts on X.
“Remember when New York Times staff threw a tantrum over a Republican senator’s op-ed,” Haley wrote. “We heard no complaints from NYT staff about publishing an op-ed by a Hamas-appointed mayor over Christmas. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of our media.”
The creator of the popular Libs of TikTok account posted as well.
“Well now the New York Times is running opinion pieces written by Hamas,” Raichik wrote. “Are their journalists outraged? NYT showing their true colors!”
Raichik was also referring to the fact that James Bennet, the former NYT opinion editor, had to resign due to intense backlash from the outlet’s staff and leadership after he published an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
