Anti-Israel activists distributed a fake edition of The New York Times across the Big Apple on Tuesday morning.
Its faux front-page article states there is “vocal disagreement” among members of Congress about America’s continued aid to Israel, and claims the US has given the Jewish state more than $121 billion in bilateral assistance since its establishment in 1948. The story also notes a “growing concern about Israel’s human rights violations gaining considerable traction in Washington,” and denounces the killing of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the “occupied” West Bank and Gaza Strip, The Independentfirst reported.
Members of Jewish Voice for Peace New York and Jews Say No!, a New York City-based anti-Israel organization, created the paper.
The newspaper includes an infographic with data from the website howmuch.netthat says the US has given Israel $3.1 billion in military aid, while Egypt received only $1.3 billion.
Another front-page story announces that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has quit her run for presidency and has been appointed Director of Human Rights for All Women Foundation, “a new nonprofit organization with headquarters in Ramallah, New York City, Nairobi and Charleston, S.C.” The newspaper also features a fake ad for Skunk Perfume, “Eau de I.D.F.”
Anti-Israel campaigners handed out the paper at Grand Central station, Penn station, the Times Square subway station and outside corporate offices, among other places, according to The Independent.
A spokesperson from The New York Times commented: “We’re extremely protective of our brand and other intellectual property and object to this group (or any group’s) attempt to cloak their political views under the banner of The New York Times. We believe strongly that those advocating for political positions are best served by speaking openly, in their own voice.”
Shahar Azani, director of the pro-Israel educational organization StandWithUs, said spreading “lies” and “demonizing Israel” will not bring peace. He called it “a shame” that there are people who “waste paper and contaminate the environment with unwarranted garbage.”
“Any attempt to subvert it [shared values and strategic interests] is doomed to fail, especially in the face of a tumultuous Middle East, where Israel remains one of the only anchors of stability and the only democracy, a true and lasting friend of the American people,” he said.
By: The Algemeiner