The New York Times newspaper is being heavily criticized on social media after publishing a crossword puzzle on the first day of Hanukkah that appears to be visually similar to a swastika.
The puzzle, called "Some Theme's Missing," was created by a principal consulting manager Ryan McCarthy. “Thrilled to have my first Sunday puzzle in The Times!" he wrote. "This grid features one of my favorite open middles that I’ve made as it pulls from a variety of subject areas.”
McCarthy, who denied creating the puzzle in the shape of a swastika on purpose, said that while he originally wanted his puzzle to be arranged in a 15-by-15 grid, he decided to expand the size of the brain teaser and create a "fun whirlpool shape."
Social media users, however, quickly pointed out the shape's uncanny resemblance to the infamous Nazi symbol.
One of those who pounced on the issue was Donald Trump Jr., the former president's eldest son. "Disgusting! Only the New York Times would get Hanukkah going with this crossword puzzle,” he tweeted. “Imagine what they would do to someone who did this and was not ideologically aligned with them? I’ll give them the same benefit of the doubt they would give those people … EXACTLY ZERO.”
Keith Edwards, the communications director for Nikki Fried's failed Florida gubernatorial run, tweeted: "This is the NYTimes crossword puzzle today on the first day of Hanukkah. What the hell, @nytimes?”
Israeli media company known as "Israel National News" or Arutz Sheva, that identifies with the right wing, pointed out that the puzzle came shortly after a NYT opinion piece that spoke of how Benjamin Netanyahu's incoming far-right government poses a threat to the Israeli society.
A Twitter poll, the outlet asked its readers if the appearance of the swastika was made by error? Some 85% of the responders said it was intentional.