Overview
- Isabel Kershner’s NYT article published on Sept. 14 originally included the sentence “But Israelis still largely view themselves as the victims of Oct. 7,” which the paper removed after criticism.
- The New York Times posted an editors’ note saying the line was an editing error and that it was meant to describe Israelis’ perception of the government’s military response rather than to question that Israelis were victims.
- Right-leaning commentators and outlets seized on the correction to argue the wording proves a pattern of anti-Israel or antisemitic bias at the Times, citing earlier controversies such as a Nicholas Kristof column.
- The disputed line appeared in a story about the documentary NAZA and Israel’s reaction to its Venice screening, a context that has already heightened scrutiny of how major media report on Gaza and Israeli military conduct.
- The episode is likely to deepen mistrust between critics and the Times, could prompt further legal or diplomatic pressure from Israeli officials, and highlights how a single editorial phrasing can quickly shift public debate about reporting on victims of Oct. 7.