American Friends Committee refuses to place an ad in The New York Times because it bans the word "genocide"

The American Friends Service (AFSS), a Quaker organization that advocates for peace and social justice, announced that it has withdrawn a planned ad in The New York Times because the publication refused to allow it to use the term "genocide" to describe Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.

AFSS representatives reported that a representative of the NYT advertising department suggested replacing the word “genocide” in the ad text with the word “war.” After the organization rejected the change, the newspaper provided information about the “principles of factual accuracy and legal definitions” it adheres to.

AFSS Secretary General Joyce Ailuni issued a statement strongly condemning the newspaper's decision.

"The New York Times' rejection of an ad calling for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza is a bizarre attempt to evade the truth. We base our position on the conclusions of international human rights organizations," the statement said.

AFSS emphasized that its position is based on reports by organizations such as the Center for Constitutional Rights, the University Human Rights Network, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch that have assessed the situation in Gaza as genocide.

This incident further reinforces the need to reassess freedom of expression and the role of news agencies in covering complex conflicts.