James Murdoch assumed editorial control of New York magazine on July 8 and immediately oversaw an issue that repeatedly describes Israel's war in Gaza as genocide. The publication also refers to the Jewish state as "the land mass currently called Israel," language that has drawn sharp rebuke from the nation's leading civil‑rights organization and from several pro‑Israel advocacy groups.
James Murdoch, the younger son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, has long been portrayed as a left‑leaning figure within the family's empire. In 2023 he launched Lupa Systems, a media‑investment vehicle that acquired a controlling stake in New York magazine. His shift away from his father's conservative legacy was highlighted by a protracted legal battle in which Rupert sued to block James from taking over the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, arguing that the younger Murdoch's political orientation could jeopardize the family's flagship outlets.
The controversial New York issue contains two long‑form pieces. The first, by Zaina Arafat, an adjunct assistant professor at Barnard College, frames the post‑October 7 period as a time when "SWANA New Yorkers" face xenophobia, Islamophobia and Zionism. Arafat writes that the question of whether Israelis can claim a connection to the region is "complicated" and varies with ethnic background. The second article, by Madeline Leung Coleman, focuses on food culture and claims that "Israel's genocide of Palestinians" has turned dining choices into political statements. Coleman also signed a October 26, 2023 statement that called Israel's war on Gaza an attempt at genocide.
Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti‑Defamation League, posted on X that the spread "has too many issues to count." He added that "calling for other peoples' self‑determination while labeling the Jewish people's request for the same treatment as hate is not factual, it's a blatant, disgusting double standard." Greenblatt's organization received $3.5 million from James and Kathryn Murdoch's private foundation, Quadrivium, between 2022 and 2024, according to the foundation's tax filings.
Todd Richman, a co‑founder and former co‑chair of Democratic Majority for Israel, described the piece as "so one‑sided that it barely resembles journalism." He said the portrayal of Israeli restaurants and owners "through the narrowest possible lens" and the repeated use of the term genocide "without meaningful context" could have "real‑world consequences in a city already struggling with rising anti‑Semitism."
Isaac de Castro, a staffer at Tablet, called the presentation "batshit" in a post on X. He wrote that the spread was "ten times worse" than the cover's alleged antisemitic tone, suggesting the issue crossed a line from political commentary into hate‑filled rhetoric.
New York magazine is owned by Lupa Systems, which is backed by James Murdoch's investment fund. The magazine's editorial direction has historically been centrist, but under Murdoch's leadership it has taken a more overtly progressive stance on foreign policy. The lack of comment from the magazine's spokesperson or from Lupa Systems leaves the editorial rationale for the July issue unclear.
The episode arrives at a moment when U.S. media outlets are under intense scrutiny for how they cover the Israel‑Palestine conflict. Advertisers have begun to distance themselves from platforms that appear to endorse extremist language, and newsrooms are wrestling with internal debates over editorial independence versus brand safety. The New York issue's language could prompt advertisers to reconsider placements, especially in a market where corporate sponsors are sensitive to accusations of antisemitism.
Anti‑Semitism has risen in recent years across the United States, with the Anti‑Defamation League reporting a 147 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023 compared with the previous year. New York City, home to the nation's largest Jewish population, has seen a surge in hate crimes targeting synagogues and community centers. Critics argue that media narratives that label Israel's actions as genocide without nuance may fuel hostile attitudes toward Jewish Americans.
The legal battle between Rupert and James Murdoch provides a backdrop to the controversy. In 2022 Rupert filed a lawsuit in New York state court seeking to block James from acquiring a controlling interest in the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, citing concerns that James's political views could undermine the editorial integrity of those institutions. The case settled in early 2023, with James withdrawing his bids and focusing instead on New York magazine and other digital ventures. Observers note that the settlement prevented a potential shift in the ideological balance of two of America's most influential news brands.
Industry analysts say the dispute underscores the broader question of how family‑owned media empires manage divergent political views among heirs. If James Murdoch continues to steer New York magazine toward a more activist editorial line, it could signal a new chapter for the Murdoch brand, one in which progressive commentary coexists with the family's traditionally conservative outlets.
At present New York magazine has not issued a public response to the criticism, and its editorial team has not addressed the specific allegations of antisemitic bias. The magazine's future coverage of the Israel‑Palestine conflict will likely be watched closely by both advocacy groups and advertisers, who may weigh the reputational risk of association against the publication's readership numbers. As the debate over media responsibility intensifies, the Murdoch family's internal dynamics will remain a point of interest for anyone tracking the intersection of ownership, ideology and American public discourse.