The columnist wrote that there was “no evidence that Israeli leaders order rapes,” but argued that Israeli authorities had created “a security apparatus where sexual violence has become,” citing a UN report, one of Israel’s “standard operating procedures.”
The article included testimonies alleging rape with objects, beatings targeting genitals, threats of sexual violence and humiliation during imprisonment.
Kristof cited reports by organisations including Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Save the Children, B’Tselem and the Committee to Protect Journalists documenting allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.
He also referenced a UN report published last year accusing Israel of “systematically” subjecting Palestinians to “sexualised torture.”
The New York Times and Kristof had not publicly responded to Israel’s lawsuit announcement at the time of publication.
