Israel’s foreign ministry on Monday condemned a New York Times article that claimed Israeli prison guards were raping Palestinian detainees on a wide scale.. The newspaper’s piece, titled “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians,” relied on testimonies from 14 individuals who say they suffered sexual violence, including baton assaults and genital mutilation.

Israel’s foreign ministry slams NYT’s ‘blood libel’ accusation

In a strongly worded statement, Israel’s foreign ministry described the NYT story as “the worst blood libel ever to appear in the modern press.” The ministry argued the report spreads misinformation and implicitly supports the alleged abuse, a charge it says undermines Israel’s security institutions. According to the ministry, the article is a deliberate attempt to delegitimize Israel on the world stage.

NYT article cites 14 alleged victims of sexual abuse

The New York Times piece relied on the personal accounts of 14 Palestinians who say they were subjected to sexual assault while in Israeli custody. their testimonies describe a pattern of violence that includes being struck with batons in the genital area and forced genital mutilation. As the newspaper reported, the victims’ statements were collected by human‑rights groups operating in the West Bank.

Specific allegations: baton rape and genital mutilation

Among the most shocking claims are reports that guards used batons to penetrate victims’ bodies, a method described by one source as “baton rape.” Another allegation details forced circumcision‑like procedures performed without consent. These details, while harrowing, have not been corroborated by independent investigators, leaving the claims in a legal and evidentiary gray zone.

No independent verification presented in the report

Critics note that the NYT article did not include on‑the‑ground verification, forensic evidence, or statements from Israeli officials beyond the ministry’s condemnation. According to the report, the newspaper relied solely on the testimonies and did not disclose any attempts to interview prison staff or review medical records. This omission fuels Israel’s charge that the story is a “blood libel” rather than a balanced investigation.

Who can confirm the allegations? The missing fornsic inquiry

Two specific gaps remain: whether any independent forensic examinations have been conducted on the alleged victims, and whether Israeli judicial bodies have opened formal inquiries into the claims. The New York Times did not cite any such investigations, and Israel’s ministry has not offered to provide evidence that would refute or substantiate the accusations. As of now, the truth of the allegations hinges on testimonies that are contested by the Israeli government.