( May 29, 2026 / The Focus Project )
Within 24 hours, two reports of sexual violence were published. One was backed by 430 testimonies, 10,000 photos, 1,800 hours of video—many taken by the perpetrators—and transparent methodology. The other relied on an organization linked to Hamas that’s known for fabrications. Guess which one dominated the news cycle?
One provided graphic evidence of the gruesome sexual assaults by Hamas against Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. The other alleged systematic sexual assaults against Palestinian prisoners, using an anonymous source.
In an era when unproven claims against Israel are promoted by biased activists, organizations and journalists, rapidly spread across classrooms, social media and newsrooms, enforcing professional standards and accurate reporting is the only defense against misinformation.
Kristof’s Sources: A case study in abandoning standards
Nicholas Kristof’s recent opinion column in The New York Times alleged that Israeli security personnel systematically used sexual violence, including rape by trained dogs, against Palestinian detainees. All allegations of sexual violence deserve serious investigation. This is why the sourcing behind his claims demands scrutiny. His column relies on sources so compromised that even cursory vetting should have disqualified them.
Kristof’s primary organizational source is Hamas-linked Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, reportedly “created in 2011 to demonize Israel under the human-rights facade.” It is...
( May 29, 2026 / The Focus Project ) Within 24 hours, two reports of sexual violence were published. One was backed by 430 testimonies, 10,000 photos, 1,800 hours of video—many taken by the perpet...