New York, NY, February 2, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today reacted to a mock issue of The New York Times, distributed in Manhattan and promoted via a social media campaign by an unknown group, which attempts to leave the impression that Israel is worthy of far more criticism than The Times and the American public usually allows.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
A mock issue of The New York Times was distributed in several locations around Manhattan this morning, to try to leave the impression that Israel is worthy of far more criticism that The Times usually allows.
The creators of the phony newspaper are entitled to their view that The Times is biased in Israel’s favor, and to disagree with critics of The Times, some of whom think The Times has a bias against Israel. However, to do it in a surreptitious manner, as they have done, is deceptive.
The diatribe, published anonymously, conveys false facts and themes consistent with anti-Israel advocates and supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. We welcome The New York Times objecting to this assault on their brand, and support their belief that “those advocating for political positions are best served by speaking openly, in their own voice.” New Yorkers are sophisticated enough to see that this “news” was not fit to print.