For many years, I considered the New York Times a trusted source of news and thoughtful analysis. Its science reporting was insightful, its book reviews captivating, and its opinion section a rare space for robust debate with competing viewpoints. From a young age I valued these aspects deeply, and the Times became part of my daily routine. But about 15 years ago, that routine began to unravel. I started noticing a shift, a subtle but persistent bias against Israel that crept into its coverage. It wasn’t blatant at first, but over time, the Times seemed less interested in balanced journalism and more invested in narratives that painted Israel in a relentlessly negative light.
Despite my growing discomfort, I held on. I told myself that keeping a close eye on the Times was important, that the old saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” applied here. I wanted to understand how and why such a respected publication was allowing this bias to take root. I hoped it was a temporary lapse, a passing phase. But this week, all patience ran out.
I canceled my subscription for good after reading Nikolas Kristoff’s recent opinion piece, a piece so filled with hatred and unverified claims that it crossed a line I never expected the Times to cross. Kristoff’s article alleges, without credible evidence or proper sourcing, that Israeli dogs were trained to sexually assault men. Alongside this shocking claim, he recycles a litany of other accusations taken from well-known pro-Hamas activists and a host of unnamed sources. These allegations are not only unverified but grotesquely inflammatory.
Yes, it is true that prisons everywhere are terrible places. There is no debate about that. The conditions are often harsh, and abuse occurs in many systems worldwide. But the intensity and one-sidedness of Kristoff’s piece, combined with the choice to put it front and center in the May 11, 2026, edition of the Times, was staggering. It was not journalism. It was a delusion and propaganda masquerading as an opinion.
What’s more, this publication choice came just one day after the Times received a thoroughly verified, 300-page report documenting the horrific sexual torture of Israelis by Palestinians, an atrocity backed by extensive evidence. The Times made no mention of this report. This silence speaks volumes. It reveals a disturbing editorial agenda that privileges vilification of Israel over reporting on the truth of Palestinian violence.
This pattern is not new. For years, the New York Times’ fact-checkers, editors, and writers like Kristoff have shown a troubling willingness to distort facts or omit critical context when it comes to Israel. It’s as if the paper has adopted Hamas’s goal of erasing Israel, not just physically, but from the narrative itself. The Times’ coverage increasingly feels less like journalism and more like a tool to advance a political agenda that demonizes Israel and, by extension, the Jewish people.
What pains me the most is that the Times once stood for something else. It was a beacon of quality reporting, a place where difficult and complex issues could be debated fairly. But now, it seems to have abandoned those principles. Instead of striving for truth, it has chosen to amplify falsehoods and stoke hatred. This shift is not just disappointing, it’s dangerous. It undermines the very foundation of honest journalism and damages public understanding of one of the most complex conflicts in the world.
I am deeply proud of my Jewish heritage and the resilience of the Israeli people. I believe in the right of Israel to exist, to defend itself, and to live in peace and security. When a major international newspaper consistently distorts that reality, it’s not just a matter of bias, it’s an affront to truth and justice.
Walking away from the New York Times is bittersweet. I mourn the loss of a publication I once respected. But my pride and principles demand it. I refuse to support a paper that spreads lies and hatred under the guise of opinion or news. My subscription cancellation is a small act, but it is a statement: I will not finance falsehoods or enable a narrative that seeks to delegitimize Israel and demonize its people.
The Times has the power to influence millions around the world. With that power comes responsibility, a responsibility it has chosen to shirk.
The New York Times has crossed a line, and for me, that line is the end of the road. I am proud to live in Israel, stand by Israel and to say, loud and clear, that my support will not go to those who trade truth for falsehoods.
So, here’s my final farewell to a paper that once meant much more to me. The New York Times may have lost a subscriber, but more importantly, it has lost its soul.
Dr. Michael Salamon ,a fellow of the American Psychological Association, is an APA Presidential Citation Awardee for his ‘transformative work in raising awareness of the prevention and treatment of childhood sexual abuse”. He is the founder and director of ADC Psychological Services in New York and Netanya, the author of numerous articles, several psychological tests and books including “The Shidduch Crisis: Causes and Cures” (Urim Publications), “Every Pot Has a Cover” (University Press of America) and “Abuse in the Jewish Community: Religious and Communal Factors that Undermine the Apprehension of Offenders and the Treatment of Victims.”