New York Times Refuses Ad Calling Israel's Actions in Gaza "Genocide," Sparking Controversy

The American Friends Service Committee's Canceled Ad in the New York Times

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker organization advocating for peace, canceled a planned advertisement in the New York Times due to the paper's refusal to allow them to refer to Israel's actions in Gaza as a genocide.

In a press release, the AFSC expressed outrage at the Times' decision, stating that it was an attempt to "sidestep the truth" and silence Palestinian voices. The group cited numerous organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, which have deemed Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide or acts of genocide.

The AFSC claimed that a representative with the advertising team at the New York Times suggested they use the word "war" instead of "genocide." When the group refused, the Times responded with an email stating that they must ensure all advertising content complies with widely applied definitions, including those from international bodies, human rights organizations, and governments.

The AFSC pointed to an ad taken out by Amnesty International in the Washington Post this past weekend that characterized Israel's actions as genocide. They also noted that the New York Times has previously run advertisements using the term, including an ad from the Armenian Educational Foundation thanking Kim Kardashian for opposing denial of the Armenian genocide.

The Times' advertising guidelines state that its "advertising space is open to all points of view" and that submissions may be subjected to fact-checking. However, the paper reserves the right to reject an ad if it is found to be deceptive or inaccurate.

The AFSC has been supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza and lobbying in the US for a "permanent cease-fire, full humanitarian access, release of all who are held captive, and an end to US military funding for Israel.