The New York Times faces a backlash after publishing a Hanukkah crossword puzzle in the shape of a swastika

Readers who chose to take part in this Sunday New York Times crossword were stunned by the layout, which caught the eye of many and bears an uncanny resemblance to a Nazi swastika.

The puzzle’s silhouette has since caused a stir on social media, with several prominent Jewish leaders and political figures taking to social media to express their outrage – many stating that the puzzle was released on the first night of Hanukkah.

Some claim the pattern — which is striking and jumps off the page even at first glance — is a coincidence, while others claimed it was one of the latest and most brazen examples of the newspaper’s alleged history of anti-Israel rhetoric.

The Times has not yet commented on the mystery.

Readers who choose to participate in this New York Times crossword puzzle will be amazed by the layout, which caught the eye of many and bears a resemblance to a Nazi swastika

Donald Trump Jr. slammed the puzzle as “disgusting,” writing Sunday that “only the New York Times would make Hanukkah work with this crossword.”

The former president’s son, like many others, cited the publication’s track record of opposing the predominantly Jewish nation of Israel in its longstanding conflict with neighboring Palestine.

Some pointed to an example that appeared in the issue just the day before – to OP-ED piece from the newspaper Editorial staff critical of the new Israeli government.

Trump Jr. went on to question the newspaper’s actions and asked how it would cover a similar incident if the tables had turned.

“Imagine what they would do to someone who has done this and is not ideologically aligned with them?” Trump Jr., 44, wrote. “I give them the same benefit of the doubt that they would give these people…exactly zero.”

Donald Trump Jr. called the puzzle “disgusting” and said, “Only the New York Times would make Hanukkah work with this crossword.”

The former president’s son, like many others, cited the publication’s track record of opposing the predominantly Jewish nation of Israel in its longstanding conflict with neighboring Palestine.

Other figures who drew similar backlash included two prominent New York politicians and several Jewish groups and leaders — as well as several citizens who were puzzled not by the puzzle’s difficulty but by the message its layout seemed to send.

NYC Council member Kalman Yeger wrote, “A hidden Happy Hanukkah message in today’s @nytimes crossword?”, while his counterpart, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, re-shared his post while exuding similar disbelief, writing, “Seriously @nytimes!?

Some claim the pattern — which is striking and jumps off the page even at first glance — is a coincidence, while others claimed it was one of the latest and most brazen examples of the newspaper’s alleged history of anti-Israel rhetoric

SAFE CUNY, a coalition of City University of New York scholars and students devoted to the Zionist movement, wrote: “Today’s Crossword Puzzle from the New York Times for Hanukkah. Pretty much sums up @nytimes over the last few years regarding Jews and Israel.’

The organization serves as a kind of anti-Semitism watchdog, flagging local authorities in their colleges across the city.

Many other users made the same observation – including the Israeli media network Israel Nation News, which pointed to the Times opinion piece published yesterday warning of the new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

NYC Council member Kalman Yeger wrote, “A hidden Happy Hanukkah message in today’s @nytimes crossword?”, while his counterpart, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, re-shared his post while exuding similar disbelief, writing, “Seriously @nytimes!?

The outlet went on to ask its 38,000 followers if they thought the disturbing images were intentional or not. The newspaper did not immediately respond to a query from DailyMail.com on Saturday night when faced with the same question.

Netanyahu, ousted last year after four years in office, has maintained a firm stance on Palestine in his border struggle over Gaza.

After an election victory last month, he is expected to return to power as head of the country’s most right-wing government.

In the article published on Saturday, The Times warned that “Netanyahu’s government, however, poses a significant threat to Israel’s future – its direction, its security and even the very idea of ​​a Jewish homeland.”

The Times has yet to comment on the mystery, which was released Sunday just before the first night of Hanukkah

The Times also faced setbacks during the Holocaust for making little mention of the mass extermination of European Jews during Hitler’s conquest of the continent.

Out of more than 24,000 front-page reports over this period, the Nazis’ systemic killings were mentioned only 26 times, and often only the victims as “refugees” or “persecuted minorities.”

The newspaper is run by AG Sulzberger – the sixth member of the Ochs-Sulzberger family to serve as editors for The Times since the newspaper was bought by Adolph Ochs in 1896. The family is of both German and Jewish descent.

Many other users made the same observation – including the Israeli media network Israel Nation News, which pointed to the Times opinion piece published yesterday warning of the new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu