An opinion piece published in The New York Times on Monday alleged that, despite an absence of evidence, Israel utilizes sexual violence against Palestinians as part of its “security apparatus,” citing the conspiracy theory that Israeli guards coach dogs to sexually assault Palestinian prisoners.
The piece prompted sharp criticism from analysts, academics and former officials, who accused columnist Nicholas Kristof of relying on unsubstantiated claims and inflammatory rhetoric.

Jacqueline Carroll, a former sexual-crimes prosecutor in Cook County, Ill., and founder of an extremism consulting group, told JNS that an allegation of sexual violence “comes down to evidence.”

“If they can provide legitimate evidence, then they should be listened to,” Carroll said. “People believe what they see in the media more than they search out the actual facts and truth.”