Israel's Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized a New York Times opinion column by Nicholas Kristof that reported on alleged sexual abuse of Palestinians, calling it "one of the worst blood libels" in modern press.

The column by Kristof, a longtime Times columnist, detailed allegations of sexual abuse involving Palestinians. The specific details and scope of the reported incidents were not immediately clear from available information.

The Israeli government's response was swift and forceful, with the Foreign Ministry using the term "blood libel" - historically referring to false accusations against Jewish people - to characterize Kristof's reporting. This represents a significant escalation in diplomatic language regarding media coverage.

The New York Times has defended the controversial piece amid growing criticism and rumors of a potential retraction. The newspaper stated there was "no truth" to claims that the article would be retracted, standing behind its columnist's work.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over media coverage of Israeli-Palestinian issues, with both sides frequently accusing news organizations of bias in their reporting. The controversy comes as international attention remains focused on the broader Middle East conflict.

Neither Kristof nor the Times immediately provided detailed responses to the specific criticisms raised by Israeli officials regarding the content and sourcing of the column.