From Rutgers speaker to Kristof column, implausible anti-Israel dog rape claim goes mainstream

Key Points:

• A claim that Israel trains dogs to sexually assault Palestinian prisoners, initially circulated on social media and cited in a New York Times column by Nicholas Kristof, has sparked controversy and condemnation from Jewish groups who call it a "modern-day blood libel."
• Experts in canine behavior, including retired police lieutenant James Crosby, have expressed skepticism about the biological and training feasibility of dogs committing sexual assaults on humans, though they acknowledge dogs can be used for intimidation.
• The allegation gained traction through a series of social media posts, NGO reports, and influential online figures, culminating in its inclusion in Kristof’s column, which the New York Times defends as rigorously reported despite the contentious nature of the claim.
• Critics argue that the claim lacks credible evidence and is part of a broader pro-Palestinian propaganda effort, while some highlight historical instances of dogs being used to abuse prisoners by other regimes, though experts note significant differences in those cases.
• Israeli officials deny the allegations, and while human rights groups have reported abuse and intimidation tactics in Israeli prisons, the specific claim of trained canine rape remains unproven and highly disputed.