New York Times is accused of spreading anti-Jewish hate with op-ed written by Gaza City mayor who was handpicked by Hamas: Article condemned Israel for ‘causing the deaths of more than 20,000 people’

The New York Times has been accused of promoting “Jew-hatred” by publishing an op-ed by the mayor of Gaza City denouncing the Israeli government's destruction.

Yahya R. Sarraj was appointed mayor by Hamas in 2019.

On Christmas Eve, the newspaper published his op-ed, titled: “I am the mayor of Gaza City. Our lives and our culture are in ruins.”

Sarraj wrote about witnessing the destruction of cultural centers, infrastructure, businesses, schools and hospitals in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack.

“The Israeli invasion has caused the deaths of more than 20,000 people and destroyed or damaged about half of the area's buildings, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The Israelis have also pulverized something else: Gaza City's cultural resources and municipal institutions,” he wrote.

“The relentless destruction of Gaza – its iconic symbols, its beautiful coast, its libraries and archives and whatever economic prosperity it had – has broken my heart.”

He condemned the “destruction of our way of life in Gaza” and said he felt like he was living a nightmare thanks to the “horrific campaign of destruction and death.”

Sarraj noted that the bombing was “a response to Hamas' deadly attack,” but he stopped short of condemning the terror attack or even referring to the 129 hostages believed to remain in Gaza – not all alive.

Sarraj said his son Roshdi, a 31-year-old photojournalist, was killed on October 22 and everyone has lost friends and relatives.

“An unnamed Israeli defense official promised to turn Gaza into a tent city and Israel forcibly expelled its residents. “For once, Israel is keeping a promise its officials made to the Palestinians,” he concluded.

“I call on all the churches of the world – everyone – to put pressure on world leaders to stop this foolish destruction.”

Sarraj's words were immediately accepted.

'Oh, there's nothing to see here. Just @nytimes publishes an op-ed by Hamas-appointed Gaza Mayor Yahya Sarraj,” said Arsen Ostrovsky, CEO of The International Legal Forum, a pro-Israel network of lawyers.

'I wonder: would NYT also publish an Al-Qaeda op-ed justifying September 11?

'Of course not, but there is no red line in this newspaper's hatred of Jews.'

Another said Sarraj's question about why Gazans cannot have “open borders and free trade” could easily be answered.

“After the suicide bombings in Israel during the Second Intifada, and even after October 7, he still wants to know why Gaza can't have open borders and free trade like the rest of the world,” one said.

Another called Sarraj's question bizarre, saying: “It's because your people raped, tortured and massacred their way through defenseless Israeli communities on October 7, in barbaric scenes from hell.

“Actions have consequences, you idiot. And these are the consequences. And they're not done yet.'

One woman, who described herself on X as a 'proud Zionist', disagreed with the newspaper's decision to give Sarraj a platform.

'Are you joking? Would you have posted the views of a Nazi mayor?' she asked. “This is so tone-deaf it's unreal.”

Another commented: 'Mr Sarraj's article certainly describes the horrors and suffering of this war.

“However, what is missing is how Hamas could launch a vicious attack on Israeli civilians. As long as Gaza is under the regime of a terrorist group, there is no path to peace.'

And another concluded: “While I appreciate the NYT publishing a 'diversity of letters,' the opinion of a politician appointed by a terrorist group goes too far.

“I hope this horrible war ends today, but it won't be because of a 'woe is me' letter from the terrorists.”