Mass murder is the new democracy
Hypocrisy. Propaganda. Hate. Bigotry. Abuse. All of these words are being used to bully the world into self-censorship against criticism of Israel. But then, all of these words are being used to describe every other government in the Middle East. And almost none of us would disagree.
We spent years on Mideast Youth struggling against human rights violations shamelessly caused by our regimes in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, Egypt, etc. Everyone celebrates these efforts. We are “human rights activists” when we tackle abuse against ethnic, religious and intellectual minorities in these countries. We are “heroes” when we fight against the state-sponsored censorship and challenge our governments by continuing to practice our right to freedom of speech. But we are “hateful racists” when we challenge Israel.
Why?
You’d think most Israelis won’t mind criticism of their governments. We sure as hell don’t mind criticism of ours. In fact, we give you facts exposing the injustices here. All our projects are designed to expose and document regional abuses. Why does it strike a nerve when we document Israel’s, too?
If Israel was a true democracy, wouldn’t it be priding itself on its diversity and tolerance? Claiming that “Israel” is a democracy the way it is currently run is an insult to the term and an insult to the Israelis and Arab Israelis whose lives are in danger the moment they wish to hold a peaceful protest against the inhumane cruelty of their government. No “democracy” in the world relies on mass murder and punishment to exist. No “democracy” in the world prevents an entire nation from the freedom to travel, access to vital resources and the right to live with dignity. No “democracy” in the world shoots and abuses unarmed civilians and journalists.
We all laugh when Iran claims to be a democracy.
We all laughed when Egypt claimed to support freedom of speech at the UN.
We all laugh when Saudi Arabia claims to model itself after true Islamic values.
And the entire world laughs with us. But don’t dare treat Israel as if it is somehow equally deserving of criticism and satirical attacks (which has been our effective strategy for years.) The moment we treat Israel with the same disrespect we treat our own abusive governments, we are suddenly, no longer “heroes.” We are ignorant bigots. We are terrorists.
We have been littered with abusive e-mails concerning the Flotilla posts these past few days here on the site. “Remove them immediately!” People claiming that this site is far from “respectful,” and that we are anti-Semites.
Those attacks don’t bother us, we’re very used to it and it is ironically a form of encouragement for us. When has such criticism ever stopped us from continuing our work for justice? Why did you support us when Iran blocked the site, but justify it when Israelis hacked our site?
We have never stopped Israelis from posting on this site, despite the fact that 2 of them hacked us in 2008 and 2009, during a critical time when we were the only site podcasting from Gaza. You are the ones who decided that we aren’t worthy to share a platform with, and refused to tolerate our opinions. But unlike most other platforms, we never censored you. So why do you want us to censor those who disagree with you?
Respect is earned. It is not given based on your nationality and your history. We have never declared any government in the world as “beyond criticism.” We never attacked Israelis, or prevented them from sharing this platform. But the opportunities for dialogue here have always been fierce. We’re dealing with very controversial topics and targeting every country. No one will be receiving “special treatment.” This remains an open forum. We let people get away with some pretty outrageous posts because we want people to be aware of the realities that circulate around us.
It’s not our problem if you disagree. We do not control the personal opinions of our 400+ authors. And you do not have the right to control ours.
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Even taking your headline “mass murder” is the new democracy” at face value (which I don’t), it’s hardly surprising in a place where “medieval, genocidal totalitarianism” is the new “freedom”, “suicide bomber training ” is the new “childcare”, and “violent armed thugs” are the new “peace activists”.
Language is the second casualty of war…
Dear Esra’a
Stand against, and we’re behind you! Here is the platform for Freedom of Speech in Middle East. No one can dismiss it.
Esraa Says:
and this reveals how much she is frustrated from the zionist attacks against MY and how huch they are putting pressure on her to silence those who dare to criticize the “only democratic oasis in the middle east”… I know I have been subject this this pressure as the zionists dont stand to who dare to refute their lies from within their racist discourse. !!!
I know how much they play behind the scene to normalize this site to serve the zionist intentions… How much they have been putting pressure on you personally… but I am sure you are a true Human Rights activist that wont submit to their pressure while the whole world witness their crimes !! Truth cant be hidden and the ugly racist face of the zionist entity is revealed day by day !!
Those who support israel’s unjust actions have a convenient excuse to accuse others of anti-semitism when they are exposed. This kind of attitude doesn’t take us anywhere. It’s condemnable trying to gag the freedom of speech to suit a particular group’s interest.
I am sorry for those who fight back by highlighting words said by Esra’a and others among 400+ authors in this website. Yes. There is no other way to fight back, you ran out of ways this time as all of the justifications being made after this incident had no reasoning, as much as they were interesting to note. So now, all you have is to strategically interpret everything into negative “evil” intentions and play victim again “oops”…. – but to make it so obvious and give out such a picture of Israel to those who once believed in its’ democracy, or finally frame the picture to those who never believed in it to begin with, it’s sad. To actually fight and bully those who speak from their heart, WITH all fairness- to HATE those activists whose blood has been shed- to ridicule anyone defending their true intentions not only here but EVERYWHERE- to pressure someone’s way of seeing hope in the world by fighting for human rights just because you are used to being brainwashed– it’s extremely and intensely troubling. We (and many of us) are all with you Esra’a. Not in this fight- NO. But in this intellectual quest for truth and freedom, and the fact that potential issues that cause anger or years of debate exist here shows that it’s the perfect platform for Human Rights. Those aching to shape the world as they would like it to be seen by demanding censorship should grow up a little, or this website is no place for them– and to step down with the superiority. The truth is the truth, the whole world sees it, it is useless to flip tables over.
This is very important article in a critical timing, Esra’a.
I think you’re absolutely right about the neutrality of our platform, everyone can post their ideas here. Only the obstructive criticism retains, however fake ideas diminish.
No control over +400 authors, and no need to, because our network promotes diversity of thoughts, freedom of speech, and civilisation dialogue.
We criticise most of the Arab states all the time, and it’s time to criticize Israel, if what happened proved true.
Nationalism isn’t good for the health, and actually nationalists, from both sides, aren’t welcome here; because nationalists always disregards the other, and we’re fighting for acceptance and coexistence, not racism.
Those Israelis don’t represent the Israeli youth in general, and also those Arabs who disregard the other, especially Israelis, don’t represent an Arabic trend.
We’re classified as individuals here, and not as flags for omnipotent states.
And we don’t want to be overwhelmed by the lies of politics, because politics is a chronic disease, and let’s carry on our hard long way for coexistence.
Coexistence for all!
I agree wholeheartedly that this forum should remain as free of censorship as possible. Wrongheaded views should be met with compelling arguments, not moral outrage.
That said, I am curious about what you would have Israel do in this situation. It is an undisputed fact that Gaza is being controlled by an organization comitted to the elimination of the state of israel and the expulsion, if not liquidation, of its jewish population. It is also an undisputed fact that this organization has sponsors abroad which seek to supply it with rocket and missile artillery with which to pursue those ends, and whos shipments of such have previously been intercepted.
Is it unreasonable to demand that shipments bound for gaza submit to inspection to ensure that no military hardware is being delivered? And if not, is it unreasonable to board ships which refuse to submit to inspection? Or for the boarding party to defend themselves by force of arms if their lives are threathened while boarding such a vessel?
What course of action would you take if you were in charge of the israeli government? And if you suggest rolling over and dieing, please try to contain your surprise when the Israelis fail to take your advice.
I smoked cigarettes for several years. I know it affects my health therefore I wish to quit smoking however it is difficult. None of the quitting tips helped me stop. Then I found the ecig. It has basically saved my life. No longer inhaling and exhaling cancerous substances feels magnificent!