James Murdoch steers New York magazine toward pro-Palestinian stance
After taking over New York magazine on July 8, James Murdoch oversaw content that repeatedly labels Israel’s actions as genocide, prompting criticism from several Jewish organizations.
On July 8, James Murdoch took the helm of New York magazine, announcing a fresh editorial direction. The issue released under his leadership repeatedly characterizes Israel’s conduct as genocide and avoids using the country's name directly, opting for the phrase "the land mass currently called Israel." This approach drew sharp rebukes from Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, which received $3.5 million from the Murdochs’ Quadrivium foundation between 2022 and 2024, and from Todd Richman, a former co-chair of Democratic Majority for Israel, who called the reporting one-sided.
Tablet staffer Isaac de Castro also condemned the spread as overtly antisemitic. Articles by Zaina Arafat, a Barnard College adjunct professor, and Madeline Leung Coleman, a writer supportive of Gaza activism, framed the coverage within a larger activist ecosystem. Neither New York magazine nor Murdoch’s Lupa Systems issued a response to inquiries.
Why it matters
The piece shows how a major media outlet’s editorial shift can influence public perception of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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