Rep. Ritchie Torres, DN.Y., accused The New York Times of “bias” for reporting that generally focused on pro-Israel attitudes but failed to interview for the story.
On Saturday, the Times published a story titled “The Gaza War Is Dividing the LGBTQ Community” that shed light on the tensions seen in the Fire Island Pines gay community.
Torres, who the Times noted was the first gay Afro-Latino member of Congress, was featured on a flag at Trailblazers Park alongside other historic LGBTQ figures for Pride Month. But the flag honoring Torres was quickly torn down by the gay activist group ACT-UP and replaced with another flag, one honoring “queer Palestinians,” according to the Times.
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Rep. Ritchie Torres, DN.Y., speaks on stage at the March For Israel on the National Mall on November 14, 2023 in Washington, DC (Noam Galai/Getty Images)
“The author of The NY Times Piece – who never bothered to interview me – had a sensationalist narrative in mind (a divided LGBTQ community!) in response to a report about X.
The report noted Torres’ initial response to the flag being removed, writing earlier this month, “Does anyone know that Hamas is the barbaric oppressor of Queer Palestine? The Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas.”
“Have writers ever wondered: Is the LGBTQ community really divided? Or are we mistaking a vocal minority that appears to be the majority?” Torres continued, slamming the report.
The Times quoted a pro-Palestinian activist as telling the newspaper, “I think queer people are usually in one of the debates,” adding, “It feels like queer people are coming out for Palestine in a big way.”
“Indeed, members of the LGBTQ community overwhelmingly identify themselves as political liberals or moderates, according to polls. A majority of Democrats have disapproved of Israel’s actions since at least last November, one month after the war began, according to a Gallup survey,” the Times later wrote, apparently agreeing with pro-Palestine activists.
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Torres accused The New York Times of being “biased” for choosing not to interview him for the story but an anti-Israel activist who said he was caught “celebrating” October 7. (iStock)
While the newspaper did not interview Torres, the Times, however, spoke to ACT-UP activist Jason Rosenberg, who slammed Torres, saying, “We think Ritchie is a poor choice to honor, especially this year, because he supports Israel’s policies. “
Torres, in turn, blasted the Times reporter for giving such a platform to Rosenberg, who was accused of “celebrating” the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, showing a picture of Rosenberg showing another X user’s post reading “rooting for everyone resisting oppression. .”
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“Although he interviewed Jason Rosenberg, who had been caught celebrating October 7, the author could not be bothered to interview the sitting Congressman who is the subject of the article. Bias,” wrote Torres.
“Jason Rosenberg celebrates October 7th on October 7th! But a NY Times reporter thinks he’s more worthy of an interview than a member of Congress condemning October 7th,” the lawmaker captioned a picture from Rosenberg’s X account.
The New York Times did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Nova festival survivor Ofir Amir (L) speaks with US Representative Ritchie Torres (R) during a visit to the Nova festival memorial on April 01, 2024 in Re’im, Israel. The Democratic congressman from the Bronx came to Israel for a 48-hour UJA trip with other members of the Bronx community. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Torres has stood out among Democrats on Capitol Hill for outspoken support for Israel and has repeatedly attacked the media for its anti-Israel bias.
Earlier this month, Torres slammed New York Magazine for what it called an “anti-Israel hit piece” against people who wrongly used a photo of New York Democrat Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado instead of people.
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“If New York Magazine is going to publish an anti-Israel hit by Sarah Jones, then at least do enough due diligence to get the right photo. I’m not Antonio Delgado,” Torres scolded the magazine.
“Not all black people look the same,” he said.
New York magazine later corrected the image and issued an editorial note acknowledging the error.
