The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) has expressed it shock at a barrage of anti-Semitic comments posted on an change.org petition that labels Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu a war-monger, human rights violator and which accuses him of fostering “a culture of fear, intolerance and racism. The online petition “Jewish Australians say no to Netanyahu” ” and which opposes the PM’s forthcoming visit to Australia this month, and which has attracted more than 475 supporters, also contains a litany of anti-Semitic comments that draw comparisons between the Israeli PM and government to Nazi Germany, accuses Israel of perpetrating genocide against the Palestinians as well as being a terrorist, apartheid regime. The Israeli PM is described in the comments posted as an evil, imperialist, fascist, racist war criminal and murderer.
Dr. Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“I am shocked by the level of vile anti-Israel and anti-Semitic expression revealed by the comments that violate change.org’s prohibition on hate speech. The remarks recycle the time-worn false accusations and blood-libels hurled against several Israeli prime ministers, aimed at singling the Jewish people out for censure and defamation. This petition and the outrageous comments, employing disturbing inflammatory rhetoric and slurs, are part of a larger campaign to delegitimize, denigrate and demonize the Jewish state. At a time of when we are witnessing anti-Semitism at levels not seen since the Holocaust as well as a surge in violence against the Jewish community, change.org need to do more to weed out cancerous hate speech and incitement. I am doubly concerned that change.org has allowed these egregiously bigoted invectives, that clearly overstep the mark of what is acceptable speech, to remain on their page for five days. It’s really time for change.org to walk the walk and to do more so their platform does not become a convenient weapon to vilify Jews and demean Israel. The company will not get a free pass on this issue, and we call on them to remove the comments and to implement effective measures and policies to monitor and respond swiftly when hateful comments are posted.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677.