The New York Times published an editor’s note this week clarifying that the author of one of its recent op-eds is also a convicted terrorist who is serving five consecutive life sentences.
It must’ve slipped their minds.
The Times’ editor’s note read Monday: “This article explained the writer’s prison sentence but neglected to provide sufficient context by stating the offenses of which he was convicted.”
The op-ed author, the Palestinian-born Marwan Barghouti, was found guilty in the early 2000s of at least five separate murders. He was also found guilty of organizing a failed car bombing attempt on the Malcha Mall in Jerusalem. During his trial, Barghouti was charged with being directly involved in more than 30 attacks that claimed the lives of dozens of civilians. He was exonerated of most of these charges.
The Times disclosed none of this when it published Barghouti’s op-ed this weekend. The only thing the paper mentioned about the author was in a note that read, “Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian leader and parliamentarian.”
“Palestinian prisoners and detainees have suffered from torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, and medical negligence. Some have been killed while in detention,” Barghouti wrote in a piece titled, “Why We Are on Hunger Strike in Israel’s Prisons.” “About 200 Palestinian prisoners have died since 1967 because of such actions. Palestinian prisoners and their families also remain a primary target of Israel’s policy of imposing collective punishments,” he added.
“Through our hunger strike, we seek an end to these abuses,” he added. “Rights are not bestowed by an oppressor. Freedom and dignity are universal rights that are inherent in humanity, to be enjoyed by every nation and all human beings. Palestinians will not be an exception. Only ending occupation will end this injustice and mark the birth of peace.”
The original line identifying Barghouti’s background has been removed altogether for a somewhat more thorough editor’s note.
“They were five counts of murder and membership in a terrorist organization. Mr. Barghouti declined to offer a defense at his trial and refused to recognize the Israeli court’s jurisdiction and legitimacy,” the update reads.
